HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Plastic Bags

Bob Neill: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission how many branded plastic bags have been purchased by the House of Commons, and at what cost, in the last 24 months.

Nick Harvey: Since April 2006 some 184,000 branded plastic bags have been purchased by the House of Commons at a total cost of some £10,400.
	From April 2008, once all existing stocks have been exhausted, bags for souvenirs and bookshop sales will be replaced by 'biothene' which is biodegradable polythene.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Departmental Older Workers

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people over the age of 55 have been recruited by his Department in each of the last three years.

Shaun Woodward: None of those people recruited to the Northern Ireland Office in the last three years has been over 55 years of age.
	Age requirements for appointment to the civil service are that appointees should have reached the age of 16 on or before the 1 July prior to the date of appointment and be less than 65 years of age at the date of appointment.

Departmental Recruitment

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the policy of British jobs for British workers will affect his Department's recruitment policy.

Shaun Woodward: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 4 March 2008,  Official Report, columns 2206-07W.
	The civil service nationality rules, which are statutorily based, govern eligibility for employment in the civil service. Copies are available in the Library of the House.

Sexual Offences

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was spent monitoring sex offenders in the community in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

Paul Goggins: The information is not available in the form requested. The delivery of offender specific risk management plans, through the current multi-agency sex offender risk assessment and management (MASRAM) arrangements, makes varying demands on a number of agencies, such as police, prisons, probation, social services and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, which would be difficult to quantify for each individual agency. All agencies involved in the MASRAM arrangements are committed to providing whatever resources are considered necessary to deliver the appropriate risk management plan for each individual offender.

Television

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many plasma television screens have been purchased by his Department and its agencies, and at what cost, in the last 24 months.

Shaun Woodward: All expenditure is incurred in accordance with the principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.
	The Northern Ireland Office and its agencies have purchased 15 plasma television screens in the last 24 months at a total cost of £106,079.
	The majority of the costs have been in relation to specialist video conferencing televisions providing enhancements to the video conferencing facilities in the Northern Ireland Office. These costs are offset by the significant savings to the Northern Ireland Office generated through the use of video conferencing facilities, resulting in reduced travel and subsistence costs between Belfast and London and staff time savings. Plasma screens are also used to promote the latest departmental news and provide other information to staff and visitors at major departmental establishments within the Stormont estate and London.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Departmental Cost Effectiveness

Bob Spink: To ask the Solicitor-General what progress the Law Officers' Departments have made in their zero-based budget review under the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Vera Baird: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the annex pertaining (in part) to the Law Officers' Departments (D7) in "Meeting the aspirations of the British people: the 2007 Pre-Budget Report and Comprehensive Spending Review" (Cm 7227).
	Value for Money Delivery Agreements in respect of all the Law Officers' Departments (the Attorney-General's Office, Her Majesty's Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate and Treasury Solicitor (one agreement); Crown Prosecution Service; Revenue and Customs Prosecution Office and Serious Fraud Office) can all be found at:
	http://www.attorneygeneral.gov.uk/sub_publications_foi.htm

Departmental Drinking Water

John Spellar: To ask the Solicitor-General how much the Law Officers' Departments spent on bottled water in the latest year for which figures are available.

Vera Baird: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) spent £105,530 on bottled water for water coolers in 2006-07. This cost includes all aspects of the bottled water service such as sanitisation and the purchase of cups.
	The CPS does not hold central records of expenditure on other forms of bottled water and to obtain this information would incur disproportionate cost.
	Her Majesty's Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate does not routinely purchase bottled water. Staff in both its offices (in London and York) are provided with drinking water which draws on the main supply. There are occasions (e.g. training at outside events) where the supply of bottled water is integral to the provision of meals or hospitality. Such amounts are minimal (in the order of £50-£100 per annum) and cannot be quantified further.
	The Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office spent £120 on bottled water during the 12 months between March 2007 and February 2008.
	Bottled water is not purchased by the Serious Fraud Office for office staff. Filtered and chilled water is in place for office staff to drink. £3,640 (+VAT) is spent annually on the maintenance contract for filtered water.
	It is not possible to separate the cost of buying bottled water from the overall refreshment costs on those occasions when bottled water is bought for meetings without incurring disproportionate cost.
	In financial year ending 31 March 2007 the Treasury Solicitor's Department and the Attorney General's Office spent a total of £5,479.61 on the provision of water for water dispensers. Expenditure information on the occasional provision of bottled water is not separately available.

Departmental Home Working

David Simpson: To ask the Solicitor-General how many people in the Law Officers' Departments have been able to work from home in the last 12 months.

Vera Baird: The guidance on home working in the Attorney-General's Office and Treasury Solicitor's Department contains the following paragraph:
	'In theory all staff are eligible to work from home. However there will be some jobs and some people who are not suited to this arrangement. The manager will need to consider each case on its merits, taking account of
	The business needs of the organisation
	The security of the information'.
	No centralised record of home working is held in either organisation, with individual managers managing the working arrangement in their own area. There is thus no simple way of identifying accurately how many people have taken advantage of working from home in the last 12 months.
	Remote access (where people can log on through the Government Secure Internet to personal files/directories, departmental intranet and departmental e-mail) is currently available to 118 people, via laptop, and this is fully subscribed.
	The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has 150 employees who are designated as home workers. Of these, 144 are duty prosecutors in CPS Direct and six are human resources business partners.
	The CPS's flexible working policy means that the opportunity to work from home on an occasional basis is available to permanent employees, when deemed appropriate by their line manager. To obtain precise figures for the number of people who have worked from home would incur disproportionate costs.
	HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate does not employ any staff specifically on a home working basis. However, there is flexibility for staff by agreement with line managers to undertake appropriate duties from home where this is compatible with its business need.
	The Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office has four members of staff with agreements to work from home on a regular basis.
	Five employees of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) work at home on a on a permanent basis, owing to the geographical requirements of their roles. A survey of all SFO staff was carried out in 2007. Of those who returned the survey, 28 (11 per cent.) indicated they worked from home either under formal or informal arrangements. These have worked at home for varying lengths of time mainly through the use of a laptop computer. All members of the SFO can request to work from home.

Departmental Older Workers

David Simpson: To ask the Solicitor-General how many people over the age of 55 have been recruited by the  (a) Attorney-General's Office and  (b) the Treasury Solicitor's Department in each of the last three years.

Vera Baird: Examination of the records held for the Attorney-General's Office and Treasury Solicitor's Department confirms that no person over the age of 55 was recruited by either organisation in 2004, 2005 or 2006. This accords with the table (placed in the Library) sourced from the 2004-06 Civil Service Statistics Mandate collection.

Devolution

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Solicitor-General what devolution issues she has recently considered.

Vera Baird: Devolution issues in cases in Scotland are notified under the Scotland Act 1998 to the Advocate-General, rather than the Attorney-General. The Attorney-General has not been notified of any devolution issues in cases in England and Wales or Northern Ireland under the Scotland Act 1998 or of any devolution issues under the Government of Wales Act 2006. The last devolution issue notified to the Attorney-General under the Northern Ireland Act 1998 was in June 2007.

Television Screens

Francis Maude: To ask the Solicitor-General how many plasma television screens have been purchased by the Attorney-General's Department in each of the last five years, and at what cost.

Vera Baird: The Attorney-General's Office bought six flat screen televisions for the refurbishment of their new headquarters, 20 Victoria street in spring 2007, costing £5,376.67 plus VAT.
	The Crown Prosecution Service's (CPS's) records show that it has purchased one plasma television screen in the last five years. It was purchased in 2005 and cost £5,287, including installation costs.
	CPS central records only hold items that cost over the capitalisation threshold of £500 and it is possible that plasma television screen(s) have been purchased by CPS Area(s) at a lower cost. To obtain this information would incur disproportionate cost.
	Her Majesty's Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate has not purchased any plasma television screens in the last five years.
	The Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office has purchased one plasma television screen, in March 2006 at a cost of £1,290 plus VAT.
	The Serious Fraud Office spent £10,664.70 (plus VAT) in 2007 on the purchase of five plasma television screens.
	The Treasury Solicitor's Department purchased two plasma television screens in each of the years 2005, 2006 and 2007, at a respective cost of £3,198 plus VAT (2005); £1,798 plus VAT (2006); and £3,302 plus VAT (2007).

WALES

Foreign Relations

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with  (a) the Foreign Secretary and  (b) the Welsh Assembly Government on educational, cultural and business links between Wales and (i) the People's Republic of China, (ii) India and (iii) the Republic of South Africa; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Murphy: I have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues and the Assembly Government on all issues affecting Wales. I will continue to work in partnership with the Welsh Assembly Government to promote Wales on the international stage.
	The First Minister recently signed a Co-operation Agreement with Chongqing municipality while visiting China, further strengthening economic and cultural links between the two countries. The Deputy First Minister recently led a Trade Mission delegation to India in November last year, further enhancing the activities of International Business Wales in respect of inward investment, trade and the creative industries. I am also aware that South Africa continues to remain a strong trade partner for Wales, particularly in Welsh export destinations.
	The Prime Minister recently visited both China and India in January this year, one of the main purposes of the visit being to build on the strong trade and investment links between Britain and the two countries.

Learning Disability: Employment

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with  (a) the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions,  (b) Mencap Cymru and  (c) the Shaw Trust on employment opportunities for young people with learning difficulties in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Murphy: I have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues and the voluntary sector on a range of issues including employment opportunities for young people with learning difficulties in Wales.
	The vision of both the UK and Welsh Assembly Governments, and that of the voluntary sector, is one of full social inclusion, where social barriers are dismantled and everyone has access to the services they require to be able to lead fulfilled lives. The Government are fully aware that this can be achieved through closer partnership working and collaboration, not just within government, but also across the voluntary, private and public sector organisations including Mencap and the Shaw Trust.
	Organisations like these and Learning Disability Wales, which the Assembly Government sponsor, play a key role in enabling children and young people with learning difficulties to realise their aspirations and skills including gaining opportunities towards employment.

Pay: Courts

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will meet Ministerial colleagues to discuss the effects of the introduction of regional pay in the Courts Service in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Murphy: I regularly meet ministerial colleagues to discuss matters of importance in Wales.
	Regional pay is not a new development—it is a reality in the economy as a whole, and HMCS is reacting to regional pay, rather than creating it. The Government's policy is that pay should reflect local labour market conditions. Key to addressing this is to foster and encourage the development of a strong private sector with well paid jobs in Wales, so the pay arrangements in HMCS should reflect the wider labour market fundamentals for this work force, especially recruitment and retention. But I am aware that our approach needs to ensure careful consideration of all the potential effects of regional pay, to ensure that our pay policy promotes economic growth in regions.

Unemployment

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the level of economic inactivity in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Murphy: I have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues including the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on a range of issues affecting Wales, including the economy and related matters.
	In February 2008, the economic inactivity level in Wales fell by 9,000 to 439,000, while the economic inactivity rate in Wales was 24.6 per cent., down 0.5 percentage points from a year earlier.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Boilers: Safety Measures

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what informal action the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) took following July 2003 in relation to faulty water heaters referred to in the HSE press release of 19 July 2007.

Anne McGuire: HSE took a number of actions concerning its investigation into the scalding and subsequent death of Sharon Minister on 10 June 2002:
	1. In August 2003 HSE provided officials at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister with a report prepared for the coroner, in response to their request;
	2. HSE contacted the British Standards Institution and agreed an amendment to the wording of warning labelling for thermoplastic cold water cistern tanks (BS4213:2004 Systems for domestic use. Cold water storage and combined feed and expansion (thermoplastic) systems up to 500I. Specification.);
	3. HSE worked with the Government News Network to issue a press release about the cause of the scalding to the heating and ventilation trade press;
	4. Following its investigation, HSE provided advice to the housing association responsible for the rented accommodation in which Mrs. Minister was injured.

Crime: Death

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many fatalities relating to falls from height were incurred as a result of felonious activity in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: holding answer 29 February 2008
	 National Statistics on work-related accidents are derived from reports made under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR). The types of incidents described, involving deaths resulting from deliberate criminal activity, would not normally be reportable and so statistics are not available. For a death to be reportable it must arise out of or in connection with a work activity. A death of an adult, who is not at work, that results from their own deliberate criminal acts would not normally be regarded as arising from a work activity.

Housing Benefit: Waiting Lists

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the average time taken to process a housing benefit claim had been reduced to  (a) 48 days nationally and  (b) 55 days across the bottom performing 15 per cent. of local authorities by March 2008.

James Plaskitt: Yes. In 2006-07, the average time taken to process a new housing benefit and council tax benefit claim was 33 calendar days nationally and 54 days for the bottom 15 per cent.
	The national average for the first six months of 2007-08 was 28 days, and the bottom 15 per cent. took an average of 39 days.

Industrial Health and Safety: Materials Handling Equipment

Martin Linton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many deaths were recorded in incidents involving cranes or lifting equipment on construction sites in each of the last five years.

Anne McGuire: Over the last five full reporting years, the number of fatal injuries in construction sustained in incidents involving cranes or lifting equipment, reported under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR), is provided in the following table. It includes workers and members of the public.
	
		
			  1 April to 31 March  Agent  Fatalities 
			 2002-03 Lorry crane 1 
			  Tower crane 1 
			  Misc. portable containers 1 
			  Other conveying, lifting, storage 1 
			  Total 4 
			
			 2003-04 Tower crane 1 
			  Fixed crane 1 
			  Other crane 1 
			  Other lifting equipment 2 
			  Elevated work platform 1 
			  Total 6 
			
			 2004-05 Lorry crane 1 
			  Tower crane 4 
			  Other crane 1 
			  Rough terrain lift truck 1 
			  Total 7 
			
			 2005-06 Elevator 1 
			  Rough terrain lift truck 1 
			  Total 2 
			
			 2006-07(1) Lorry crane 1 
			  Tower crane 3 
			  Mobile crane 2 
			  Other crane 1 
			  Other lifting equipment 1 
			  Misc. portable containers 1 
			  Gas cylinders, bottles, aerosols 1 
			  Elevated work platform 2 
			  Total 12 
			 (1) Figures for 2006-07 are provisional until the release of 2007-08 figures in July 2008. Reporting years run from 1 April to 31 March each year.

Industrial Health and Safety: Materials Handling Equipment

Martin Linton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many deaths were recorded on construction sites resulting from  (a) falls,  (b) collapses,  (c) accidents involving vehicles and  (d) other causes in each of the last five years.

Anne McGuire: Over the last five full reporting years the number of fatal injuries sustained from falls, collapses, accidents involving vehicles and other causes in construction, reported under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR), is provided in the following table. They include workers and members of the public.
	
		
			  1 April to 31 March  Falls  Collapses  Vehicles  Other  Total 
			 2002-03 34 5 6 30 75 
			 2003-04 40 3 10 22 75 
			 2004-05 27 13 7 30 77 
			 2005-06 26 4 8 26 64 
			 2006-07(1) 26 8 6 44 84 
			 (1) Figures for 2006-07 are provisional until the release of 2007-08 figures in July 2008. Reporting years run from 1 April to 31 March each year.

Pension Service: Telephone Services

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his most recent estimate is of the revenue received from customers telephoning on telephone numbers beginning with 08 by the Pension Service in the last five financial years.

Mike O'Brien: This figure is a lump sum and BT do not break it down by Agency. However the Department's use of 0845 numbers did attract a rebate from BT which was running at approximately £0.5 million per annum, this being offset against DWP telephony costs. The rebate ceased on 14 December 2007.

Pensioners: Low Incomes

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency received assistance under the minimum income guarantee in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Mike O'Brien: In Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency 2,050 households were in receipt of the pension credit guarantee credit as at August 2007—of which 790 households were in receipt of the guarantee credit only and 1,260 households were in receipt of both the guarantee credit and savings credit.
	 Notes:
	1. The figures provided are estimates. The preferred data source for figures supplied by DWP is the Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS). However, the figure provided is the latest available figure, which is taken from the GMS scan at 31 August 2007. These are adjusted using the historical relationship between WPLS and GMS data to give an estimate of the final WPLS figure.
	2. We have taken the minimum income guarantee to mean the pension credit guarantee credit.
	3. Caseloads are rounded to the nearest 10.
	4. Households are those people who claim pension credit either for themselves only or on behalf of a household.

Pensions: Widowed People

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he plans to disregard widow and widowers pensions from pension credit calculations.

Mike O'Brien: No.

State Retirement Pensions

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners have had their UK state pensions frozen since 2000; how many had their pensions frozen in 2007; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: As at March 2007 there were 530,600 state pensions in payment at a frozen rate, of which 185,300 had been frozen on or after 1 April 2000.
	 Notes
	1. Data are taken from 5 per cent. extract of PSCS, therefore figures are subject to a degree of sampling variation. They are also adjusted to be consistent with the overall caseload from the WPLS.
	2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 100.
	3. Figures are based on the live caseload as at March each year where the pension in payment is at the frozen rate.
	4. Figures for 2007 are not available.
	 Source
	DWP Information Directorate 5 per cent. sample data

State Retirement Pensions

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people are claiming their state pension who have never worked and have claimed out-of-work benefits.

Mike O'Brien: The information is not available in the form requested.

Winter Fuel Payments: Hampshire

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people who were eligible for winter fuel payments in each local authority area in Hampshire did not claim payments in each of the last five years for which information is available.

Mike O'Brien: The vast majority of winter fuel payments are made automatically without the need to claim, based on information held in DWP records. A small number of people whose circumstances we do not know, for instance because they are not on State Pension or other benefits administered by DWP, need to make a claim so that their eligibility can be assessed. It is therefore not possible to say how many people may be eligible for a winter fuel payment and are not receiving it. We can only assess eligibility for those people who are in contact with the Department and whose circumstances are known to us.
	The following table shows the number of winter fuel payments made in each local authority area in Hampshire over each of the last five years. Figures for winter 2007-08 are not yet available but we expect the number to be similar to that for winter 2006-07.
	
		
			   P ayments made 
			  Hampshire local authority area  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 
			 Basingstoke and Deane 25,490 26,010 26,310 27,010 27,970 
			 East Hampshire 22,430 22,980 23,330 23,960 24,740 
			 Eastleigh 22,090 22,510 22,720 23,170 23,780 
			 Fareham 23,940 24,400 24,720 25,240 26,010 
			 Gosport 15,430 15,580 15,630 15,830 16,160 
			 Hart 14,860 15,330 15,830 16,290 16,980 
			 Havant 27,850 28,170 28,140 28,560 29,090 
			 New Forest 46,750 47,360 47,520 48,030 49,050 
			 Rushmoor 12,380 12,520 12,540 12,730 13,040 
			 Test Valley 21,380 21,980 22,350 22,990 23,830 
			 Winchester 22,940 23,300 23,470 23,930 24,520 
			  Notes: 1. Figures rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Local authorities are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant ONS postcode directory.  Source:  Information directorate 100 per cent. data.

TRANSPORT

Air Traffic Control

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research her Department has conducted into technologies to  (a) allow air traffic controllers to take control of aircraft and land them remotely and  (b) provide computerised safeguards against aircraft crashes.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Civil Aviation Authority is responsible for aviation safety within the UK. It has not carried out any research on computerised safeguards designed to prevent aircraft crashes. It has however carried out research to evaluate a range of technologies that might address particular risks, such as runway incursions or fire in the cabin.
	The Department does not comment on whether or not it is considering technologies with aviation security applications.

Aviation: Sustainable Development

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times she, her Ministers or her officials have met representatives of  (a) Friends of the Earth,  (b) Greenpeace,  (c) the World Wildlife Fund,  (d) AirportWatch,  (e) the Aviation Environment Federation,  (f) HACAN Clearskies,  (g) Stop Stansted Expansion,  (h) Plane Stupid,  (i) the Council for the Protection of Rural England,  (j) the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds,  (k) the Woodland Trust and  (l) Enoughsenough to discuss the sustainable growth of aviation in the UK since September 2007.

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether  (a) she,  (b) her Ministers and  (c) her officials have met representatives of (i) Friends of the Earth, (ii) Greenpeace, (iii) WWF-UK, (iv) Airportwatch, (v) Stop Stansted Expansion, (vi) Plane Stupid, (vii) the Aviation Environment Federation, (viii) Enough's Enough, (ix) Hacan Clearskies, (x) the Campaign to Protect Rural England, (xi) the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and (xii) the Woodland Trust to discuss issues related to the sustainable growth of aviation in the UK in the last six months; and how often such meetings have taken place.

Jim Fitzpatrick: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State met a number of representatives of environmental groups, including many of these organisations, on 10 September 2007. In addition I had a meeting with a range of environmental groups, including many of these and others on 21 November in connection with the Department's consultation on adding capacity at Heathrow.
	Officials meet representatives of environmental groups regularly, for example in meetings of the External Advisory Group on the Air Transport White Paper, or on an ad hoc basis to discuss specific issues.

Cycling: Accidents

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what conclusions have been drawn from her Department's study of cycle safety.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department is currently developing a new research project looking at a range of road safety and cycling issues. The Department intends to commission this research shortly and the final report will be in 2011; there will also be an interim report in 2009.

Departmental Eurostar

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much her Department and its agencies spent on  (a) first and  (b) other class travel by Eurostar in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Travel arrangements in the Department for Transport and its agencies are made in the most efficient and cost-effective way, and all official travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in staff handbooks.
	The Department for Transport (central) does not record travel costs differentiated by class of travel. The total amount spent on Eurostar tickets in 2007 was £1,390,440.
	One of the Department's agencies spent £1,485.05 on Eurostar first-class tickets, and £630 on other classes, and one agency records no Eurostar expenditure in the same period.
	The Department's other five agencies cannot separate Eurostar from other rail or general travel costs and could provide the information only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Pay

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was claimed in reimbursable expenses by Senior Civil Service staff in her Department and its agencies in the last 12 month period for which figures are available.

Jim Fitzpatrick: DfT(C) and three of its agencies do not record expenses payments differentiated by grade. The information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The four agencies which do record senior civil servants expenses separately from those of other staff spent £267,364 in calendar year 2007, on a total of 45 staff.

Departmental Plants

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much her Department spent on pot plants in each of the last five years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The information requested has been placed in the Library of the House.

Departmental Travel

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of her Department's overall expenditure was spent on officials' travel costs in each year for which figures are available.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Travel arrangements in the Department for Transport and its agencies are made in the most efficient and cost-effective way, and all official travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in staff handbooks.
	The Department and six of its agencies (DSA, DVLA, GCDA, HA, MCA and VGA) spent 2.2 per cent. of overall administration and running costs expenditure on travel in financial year 2003-04, 2.3 per cent. in 2004-05, 2.2 per cent. in 2005-06, and 2.2 per cent. in 2006-07.
	The remaining agency, VOSA, does not hold the information as requested, and could provide it only at disproportionate cost.

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: Databases

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who has access to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency database.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department for Transport takes the issues of privacy and data security extremely seriously, and keeps its policies on data sharing under active review.
	Direct access to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's (DVLA) registers is available only to security cleared DVLA staff who have a business need to access that data, and Fujitsu database administrators. Depending on the business need, staff are able to view or amend records to maintain DVLA's registers.
	A full download of both the driver and vehicle registers is provided daily to the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) for inclusion on the Police National Computer (PNC).
	DVLA is rolling out its Driver Validation Service (DVS) to the police to provide instant access to drivers' information through the desktop. DVS provides an interface between the Police National Computer and the drivers' register which only allows authenticated users to submit enquiries on drivers' records via the Government Secure Internet. To date 12 forces in England and Wales, and all nine forces in Scotland have live access to this service.
	In addition, North Wales police are piloting a new system which provides DVS through handheld devices, facilitating access to drivers' details, including photograph and signature, at the roadside. This will allow for immediate identification and help the police to enforce against unlicensed and disqualified drivers while negating the need for motorists to produce their driving licence at a police station.
	DVLA shares driver data with other public bodies on a case by case basis on receipt of individual applications. The government bodies that have previously requested information include:
	Department for Work and Pensions;
	Home Office;
	Ministry of Justice;
	HM Revenue and Customs;
	Ministry of Defence;
	Local authorities/councils;
	Driver licensing authorities/operator licensing authorities in other EU/Crown dependant/overseas territories who are members of the European Car and Driving Licence Information System (EUCARIS).
	The reason for disclosure will vary from Department to Department.
	Driver data may also be disclosed to the following types of commercial companies with the consent of the individual motorist:
	Car hire companies;
	Insurance companies, or their intermediaries;
	Those employing drivers, or their intermediaries;
	Motability.
	In addition to the Government Departments listed above, DVLA may also disclose vehicle data to local authorities investigating an offence or a decriminalised parking contravention, customs officers, or those individuals or public and private bodies that can demonstrate 'reasonable cause' to need such data. The types of organisations that have previously been able to demonstrate 'reasonable cause' are available at:
	www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/AdviceOnKeepingYourVehicle/DG_4022066
	What constitutes 'reasonable cause' will vary from case to case. Decisions on whether to release data take account of the reasons provided for the request and the supporting evidence. Information provided in return is only that which is relevant and proportional to the inquiry. No organisation has unfettered access.
	Five commercial companies are provided with a bulk download of the vehicle data, excluding vehicle keeper data, to provide vehicle checking services. This information is updated periodically and matched with police and insurance industry data so that those considering purchasing a vehicle may confirm that the vehicle is as presented and is not stolen, scrapped or seriously damaged.
	Finally, I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 21 November 2007,  Official Report, column 1179. The review by the Cabinet Secretary and security experts is looking at procedures within Departments and agencies for the storage and use of data. A statement on Departments' procedures will be made on completion of the review. An interim progress report on the review was published on 17 December 2007,  Official Report, column 98WS, by the Cabinet Office through a written ministerial statement. I also refer the hon. Member to the statement of 17 December 2007,  Official Report, columns 624-26, by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on measures to improve the security of personal data.

East Coast Railway Line: Electric Cables

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times services on the  (a) East Coast and  (b) West Coast Main Line were disrupted as a result of damage to overhead wires in each of the last five years; where each incidence of damage occurred; and how long each disruption lasted.

Tom Harris: Information on the disruption of rail services is collected and processed by Network Rail. My hon. Friend may wish to contact Network Rail for this information at the following address:
	Mr. Iain Coucher
	Chief Executive
	Network Rail
	40 Melton Street
	London
	NW1 2EE

Heathrow Airport: Local Authorities

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which local authorities have been consulted on proposals to build a third runway at Heathrow Airport.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The "Adding Capacity at Heathrow Airport" consultation was widely advertised in local, London regional and national media, and all the consultation materials—including an online response facility—were available on our website. Any party with an interest had the opportunity to respond. In addition, my answer to the hon. Member for Putney (Justine Greening) on 17 January 2008,  Official Report, columns 1412-13W, described the approach we adopted for distributing the consultation documents and the organisations to which documents were sent.

Leamside Line

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the future of the Leamside line following the conclusion of the Rail Utilisation Strategy for the East Coast Main Line.

Tom Harris: The publication of the East Coast Main Line Route Utilisation Strategy by Network Rail at the end of February did not promote increased use of the Leamside line for the foreseeable future. The Secretary of State does not propose any further assessment.

Lorries: Safety Measures

John Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what discussions she has had with her European counterparts on ensuring that all newly-registered heavy goods vehicles after 10 October 2009 are fitted with retro-reflective markings;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the effect that mandatory retro-reflective markings on all newly-registered heavy goods vehicles will have on accident rates involving heavy goods vehicles at night;
	(3)  what estimate she has made of the proportion of motor vehicles and trailers that will be fitted with retro-reflective markings by the end of  (a) 2009,  (b) 2010 and  (c) 2011.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Following European and wider negotiations, we agreed to introduce new retro-reflective markings requirements for new trucks exceeding 7.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight (GVW) and new trailers exceeding 3.5 tonnes GVW by 10 October 2009. Implementation will be via our national lighting regulations and no further discussions with European counterparts are planned.
	The markings are mainly expected to affect side or rear impact heavy vehicle incidents taking place in the dark and/or in poor visibility, where poor conspicuity would otherwise be a contributory factor. Estimates suggest that if all goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes GVW and their trailers were fitted with these markings 10 fatal, 33 serious and 142 slight accidents per year might be mitigated or prevented; but this is likely to be an over-estimate for Great Britain, where such vehicles already benefit from various conspicuity aids.
	We estimate that each year an additional 8.9 per cent. of the over 7.5 tonne GVW vehicle parc and their trailers will be fitted with the markings. Assuming all relevant new vehicles registered from October 2009 are so fitted we calculate that by the end of  (a) 2009 approximately 2 per cent. of relevant vehicles will be marked,  (b) 2010, 11 per cent. and  (c) 2011, 20 per cent.

Motorways: Road Traffic Control

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when she expects work to  (a) commence and  (b) conclude on the infrastructure for hard shoulder running on (i) the rest of the M42, (ii) the M6,  (c) the M1 from East Midlands up to Leeds and  (d) the M27 around Southampton.

Tom Harris: On 25 October 2007 the Secretary of State announced a £150 million scheme to install new traffic management measures, including hard shoulder running, on the motorways around Birmingham. This includes: the M6 between junctions 4 and 5, and 8 and 10a; the M42 between junctions 7 and 9; and the M40 from junction 16 to its junction with the M42. This scheme is expected to enter construction in 2009-10 and is scheduled for completion by summer 2011.
	On 4 March 2008 the Secretary of State announced the results of the feasibility study into advance motorway signalling and traffic management. This highlighted routes where hard shoulder running could represent a high value transport solution, including parts of the M1, M6 and M27. The Department of Transport is now working to examine the practicality of installing more hard shoulder running on these routes in more detail. Schemes will be brought forward in due course, where they are the most appropriate solution for addressing identified transport problems and represent value for money.

Park and Ride Schemes: Olympic Games 2012

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions she has had on the provision of park and ride sites for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Tom Harris: Transport plans for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are being developed by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), and are discussed regularly with my officials. Park and ride forms an important part of those plans and the ODA estimate that up to 10 per cent. of spectators to the Olympic park will travel by park and ride. The ODA is in the process of assessing and acquiring suitable sites for park and ride operations. In addition, park and rail services will run from Ebbsfleet to Stratford International station.

Parliament Square: Accidents

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many  (a) males and  (b) females, broken down by age group, were (i) slightly and (ii) seriously injured whilst (A) crossing the road and (B) taking part in a public demonstration in Parliament Square in each of the last five years for which information is available.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The number of  (a) male pedestrians and  (b) female pedestrians, in each age group who were slightly injured in reported personal injury road accidents whilst crossing the road in Parliament Square in 2002 to 2006 are shown in the table.
	
		
			Number of slightly injured pedestrian casualties 
			   Gender  0-15  16-59  60+  All 
			 2002 Male 0 2 1 3 
			  Female 0 2 0 2 
			 2003 Male 0 0 0 0 
			  Female 0 0 0 0 
			 2004 Male 0 0 0 0 
			  Female 0 0 0 0 
			 2005 Male 0 0 0 0 
			  Female 0 3 0 3 
			 2006 Male 0 0 0 0 
			  Female 0 0 0 0 
		
	
	In 2002, there was one seriously injured male pedestrian casualty, age unknown, resulting from a reported personal injury road accident while crossing the road in Parliament Square. There have been no further such casualties since 2002.
	Information on the number of casualties resulting from taking part in a public demonstration in Parliament Square is not collected.

Railways

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of  (a) railway track and  (b) road there are in each Government region; and if she will make a statement.

Tom Harris: The rail network track mileage total in each Government region is an operational matter for Network Rail as the owner and operator of the national rail network. The hon. Member should contact Network Rail's Chief Executive at the following address for a response to his question:
	Iain Coucher
	Chief Executive
	Network Rail
	40 Melton Street
	London, NW1 2EE.
	The most recent figures available for road mileage by Government office region relate to 2006. These can be found in the following table.
	
		
			   Total road length (miles) 
			 North East 10,100 
			 North West 23,079 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 20,148 
			 East Midlands 19,638 
			 West Midlands 20,687 
			 East England 24,905 
			 London 9,275 
			 South East 29,752 
			 South West 31,369 
			 Wales 21,311 
			 Scotland 37,260 
		
	
	The road lengths provided are the total length of roads maintained by the Highways Agency, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Assembly Government and local authorities. Private road lengths are not included.
	The lengths are obtained using information from Ordnance Survey, Government offices and local authorities.

Railways: Greenwich

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will use the revenue from recent fines imposed on Network Rail to extend platforms and upgrade the electricity supply on rail lines serving Eltham, Woolwich Arsenal and New Eltham.

Tom Harris: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 7 March 2008,  Official Report, column 2832W.

Roads

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent estimate her Department has made of the number of potholes in roads maintained by the Highways Agency.

Tom Harris: The Highways Agency works to standards designed to avoid potholes forming as far as is possible. Potholes identified during routine patrols are dealt with as quickly as possible. The number of potholes on the network at any one time is not recorded.

Roads: Accidents

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road traffic accidents were reported on  (a) the A2 in Bexley borough,  (b) the A20 in Bexley borough,  (c) Brampton Road, Bexleyheath,  (d) Okehampton Crescent, Welling,  (e) Bourne Road, Bexley,  (f) Gravel Hill, Bexley,  (g) Upper Wickham Lane, Welling,  (h) Knee Hill, Abbey Wood,  (i) Park View Road, Bexleyheath,  (j) Broadway, Bexleyheath,  (k) Avenue Road, Bexleyheath,  (l) Pickford Lane, Bexleyheath and  (m) Long Lane, Bexleyheath in 2006-07.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The information requested is shown in the table:
	
		
			  Number of personal injury road accidents reported to the police by location: GB 2006 
			  Accident location  Number of accidents 
			  (a) The A2 in Bexley borough 42 
			  (b) The A20 in Bexley borough 19 
			  (c) Brampton Road, Bexleyheath 5 
			  (d) Okehampton Crescent, Welling 4 
			  (e) Bourne Road, Bexley 7 
			  (f) Gravel Hill, Bexley 8 
			  (g) Upper Wickham Lane, Welling 9 
			  (h) Knee Hill, Abbey Wood 4 
			  (i) Park View Road, Bexleyheath 12 
			  (j) Broadway, Bexleyheath 16 
			  (k) Avenue Road, Bexleyheath 4 
			  (l) Pickford Lane, Bexleyheath 7 
			  (m) Long Lane, Bexleyheath 7 
			  Source:  Transport for London 
		
	
	Data for 2007 are not available.

Trains: Fuels

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 28 February 2008,  Official Report, column 1846W, on trains: fuels, for what reason her Department had not placed a copy of the research project assessing the potential role of biomethane as a renewable transport fuel in the Library by 4 March.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The report referred to is the Analysis of Biogas within the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation. Copies were placed in the House Libraries on 26 February (Library reference: DEP 2008-0564).

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Bees: Diseases

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what public funds and resources have been allocated to research into colony collapse disorder.

Jonathan R Shaw: DEFRA is aware of the press reports last year about the serious situation in the USA in respect of cases of abnormally high levels of colony loss, described as colony collapse disorder (CCD).
	Scientists and inspectors at DEFRA'S National Bee Unit (NBU) are continuing to monitor the situation in the USA and are in contact with experts in the UK and in Europe to keep abreast of developments. To date, we do not have evidence to suggest that there is something similar happening in the UK.
	The limited number of cases of high losses which have occurred in the UK this season, for which there is no ready explanation, are being investigated in depth as part of the NBU's horizon-scanning work.

Business

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his Department's planned expenditure on business support, promotion of enterprise and economic development is for each year from 2007-08 to 2010-11; and which elements of this expenditure are planned to be funded through regional development agencies' single pot.

Jonathan R Shaw: holding answer 15 January 2008
	A full answer to the hon. Member's question could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	My Department is providing £75 million in 2007-08 to the Regional Development Agencies' (RDAs) Single Programme, which contributes to delivery of a range of Government policies, including those for business support, enterprise and economic development. RDAs' objectives for the next spending period, including those for business support, will be set out in their corporate plans which will be published in the spring.
	In addition, there are other programmes and activities funded by DEFRA to deliver a range of objectives with businesses, the public sector and consumers. These include axes 1 and 3 of the Rural Development Programme for England (which provide assistance to make agriculture and forestry more competitive and sustainable and to enhance opportunity in rural areas), support on resource efficiency and waste (delivered through a number of bodies including the Carbon Trust, WRAP, Envirowise and NISP), the Agriculture Development Scheme (now closed to new applications) and activities carried out by English Farming and Food Partnerships, Food from Britain, the International Agri-technology Centre and the National Non-Food Crops Centre. Total spending on these programmes and activities in 2007-08 amounts to approximately £228.22 million. However, it is not possible to separate out the business support, promotion of enterprise and economic development elements of this spending without incurring disproportionate costs.
	Decisions on the budgets for these programmes for the years 2008-09 to 2010-11 which follow the comprehensive spending review settlement last autumn have not been finalised yet. These are expected before the start of the new financial year.

Coastal Fishing

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made in the introduction of measures to restrict inshore netting in order to improve stocks for recreational anglers.

Jonathan R Shaw: Last year I announced a review of inshore netting restrictions and bass nursery areas, for the benefit of both inshore recreational angling and commercial fishing. I am also currently consulting on a draft recreational sea angling strategy which considers a package of measures for the development of recreational sea fishing. Once this consultation closes on 31 March 2008, DEFRA officials will meet stakeholders to agree how to take forward the review of inshore netting and bass nursery areas. The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) has been commissioned to conduct various studies to help progress these reviews.

Departmental Cost Effectiveness

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress his Department has made in its zero-based budget review under the comprehensive spending review.

Jonathan R Shaw: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the Annex pertaining to my Department in "Meeting the aspirations of the British people: the 2007 Pre-Budget Report and Comprehensive Spending Review" (Cm 7277).
	The summary results of DEFRA's zero-based budget reviews were also published in "Defra Value for Money Delivery Agreement Comprehensive Spending Review 2007" which is available on DEFRA's website.

Departmental Home Working

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people in his Department have been able to work from home in the last 12 months.

Jonathan R Shaw: DEFRA does not keep centrally held records of staff who work from home and this information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Home working commences because it enables DEFRA to both recruit and maintain a diverse work force. Home working helps staff maintain a work-life balance. DEFRA is committed to helping its staff maintain a work-life balance and recognises that home working can help to reduce the need to travel to work thereby removing journey time and potentially reducing overall transport congestion and pollution as well as individual stress levels. Therefore, DEFRA believes that home working contributes not just to staff welfare but ultimately to the delivery of a high quality service to our customers. DEFRA supports home working and is taking steps to ensure that the necessary tools and technologies are in place to facilitate this as part of its overall policy on flexible working. Home working can include the occasional day or days taken to complete a specific task or address a particular situation and is available to all staff subject to business needs. Alternatively it can be a permanent arrangement with regular home working days appropriate to the individual's situation.
	Managers and individuals are encouraged to think creatively about working patterns so that efficient working can most easily be combined with other responsibilities and with employee's interests, responsibilities and personal circumstances.

Departmental Pay

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the salary range is for each pay band of civil servants in his Department.

Jonathan R Shaw: The following tables set out the minima and maxima for all of DEFRA's civil servants:
	
		
			  Non-SCS pay ranges 1 July 2007 
			 £ 
			  Pay Range  Eg Grade  Maxima  Minima 
			  London 
			 A AA 19,141 17,158 
			 B AO 22,646 20,274 
			 C EO 28,846 24,439 
			 D HEO 33,986 28,901 
			 E FS 33,320 26,574 
			 F SEO 41,232 33,728 
			 G VO 54,744 43,611 
			 H G7 54,744 45,167 
			 J G6 66,506 54,876 
			 
			  National 
			 A AA 15749 14083 
			 B AO 19262 17264 
			 C EO 25710 21892 
			 D HEO 30268 25797 
			 E FS 29929 23895 
			 F SEO 38078 31344 
			 G VO 50343 40160 
			 H G7 50343 41583 
			 J G6 62078 51288 
		
	
	
		
			  SCS pay ranges 1 April 2007 
			  £ 
			  Pay band  Minimum  Recruitment and performance ceiling (RPC) 
			 1 56,100 116,000 
			 1A 65,280 127,000 
			 2 81,600 160,000 
			 3 99,960 205,000 
		
	
	This information covers people in core-DEFRA and the following DEFRA executive agencies:
	Animal Health;
	Pesticides Safety Directorate;
	Veterinary Medicines Directorate;
	Marine Fisheries Agency;
	Government Decontamination Service.
	It does not include DEFRA's agencies that have taken pay delegation (Central Science Laboratory, Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Rural Payments Agency and Veterinary Laboratories Agency).
	For the senior civil service (SCS), Departments and agencies are responsible for their own reward arrangements within a framework and pay range values set by Cabinet Office. For non-SCS, Departments have delegated authority to tailor reward packages and pay range values to meet their own business needs.

Departmental Waste Disposal

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how frequently the residual waste bins of each of his Department's buildings are collected.

Jonathan R Shaw: The following arrangements exist in the 3 main areas; London Estate, York and Alnwick.
	 London
	Waste is collected from the floors of each building each evening.
	There is also a daily janitor service who will collect waste on request.
	The waste then goes to the collection points at each building (in the basements) of Whitehall Place, Eastbury, Page Street and Millbank.
	The waste is collected from these points daily with general waste being collected in the morning and paper and drink vessels collected in the afternoon.
	Ink cartridges are collected daily from the floors and weekly from the collection points. Batteries and DVD are collected from the collection tubes in the reception and placed in the collection points in the basement area and collected on request.
	 York
	Waste is collected from all floors each evening by the evening cleaning staff and on request through the day via the janitor.
	The waste from the floors goes to three collection points at Kings Pool split into general waste, paper, cardboard and other recyclable waste.
	The waste is collected from these three points: general waste on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Paper, cardboard and other recycled waste every Monday.
	Toner cartridges and batteries are collected from each floor as and when they are left for collection. Plastics, cans and glass are collected from the Beverage Bays daily and placed in the collection point in the undercroft car park and collected by a local recycling supplier once a week.
	 Alnwick
	Waste is collected from each floor each evening by the evening cleaning team.
	The waste goes to a collection point at Lion House.
	The waste is then collected each Friday.
	Toner cartridges and batteries are collected from each floor as and when they are left for collection. Paper, plastic and cans are collected from the recycling bins as and when they are full and on request and taken direct to the local recycling centre.

Domestic Wastes: Waste Disposal

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice the Local Authority Support Direct Consultancy Service has given to waste collection authorities on household rubbish collections.

Joan Ruddock: 67 waste projects have been resourced by the DEFRA, Waste Implementation Programme, Direct Consultancy Support for the 2006-07 and 2007-08 financial years, involving 327 local authorities. The projects were broken down into the following categories:
	Waste composition: 22 projects involving 116 local authorities.
	Waste strategies: 27 projects involving 105 local authorities.
	Waste procurement: nine projects involving 61 local authorities.
	Waste planning: nine projects involving 45 local authorities.
	The focus for 2006-07 and 2007-08 financial years was to assist local authorities in their decision-making process in planning, strategy, procurement, and waste composition analysis. Applications for the final year of Direct Consultancy Support for the financial year 2007-08 closed in October 2006.
	In 2005-06, 120 Direct Consultancy Support projects were resourced involving 316 authorities. In total 372 (94.4 per cent.) of the 394 local authorities in England received Direct Consultancy Support in 2004-05 and 2005-06.

Domestic Wastes: Waste Disposal

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles) of 14 January 2008,  Official Report, column 869W, on waste disposal: domestic waste, what means local authorities will use to recover debts arising from non-payment of charges of the collection of household waste.

Joan Ruddock: As I said in my reply to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles) on 14 January 2008,  Official Report, column 869W, it is envisaged that local authorities would be able to recover any money owed by residents through the courts as a civil debt.
	The Government have also tabled an amendment to the waste provisions in the Climate Change Bill. This would allow the Secretary of State to make regulations enabling authorities to recover more efficiently any charges owed.

Fisheries: Enforcement

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he expects to announce the arrangements for aerial surveillance coverage for fisheries protection and enforcement that will be put in place after the contract with Directflight expires in 2009; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Marine and Fisheries Agency is responsible for aerial surveillance coverage for fisheries protection and enforcement. The agency anticipate making a decision in the next six months on the future arrangements for aerial surveillance after the present contract with Directflight expires in March 2009.

Food: Salt

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what responsibility his Department has for Government policy on levels of salt content in food.

Dawn Primarolo: I have been asked to reply.
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 7 March 2008,  Official Report, column 2855W.

Horses: Exports

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has to make it easier to export live horses to other parts of the EU.

Jonathan R Shaw: The EU Welfare in Transport Regulation 1/2005 came into effect on 5 January 2007 and is to be reviewed in 2009.
	The Government are committed to protecting the welfare of horses and other animals during transport including export journeys.
	If the hon. Member would like to write to me with further details of his concerns, I will address them.

Inland Waterways: East of England

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what internal drainage boards are operating in the east of England; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: Internal drainage boards (IDBs) are independent statutory bodies responsible for land drainage in areas of special drainage need that extends to 1.2 million hectares of lowland England. They are long established bodies operating predominantly under the Land Drainage Act 1991 and have permissive powers to undertake work to secure drainage and water level management of their districts. They may also undertake flood defence works on ordinary watercourses within their districts (i.e. watercourses other than 'main river').
	There are currently 83 IDBs within the Environment Agency Anglian region. These are:
	Alconbury and Ellington IDB
	Alderton, Hollesey and Bawdsey IDB
	Ancholme IDB
	Bedfordshire and River Ivel IDB
	Benwick IDB
	Black Sluice IDB
	Bluntisham IDB
	Broads IDB
	Buckingham and River Ouzel IDB
	Burnt Fen IDB
	Cawdle Fen IDB
	Churchfield and Plawfield IDB
	Conington and Holme IDB
	Curf and Wimblington Combined IDB
	Downham and Stow Bardolph IDB
	Drysides DB
	East Marling IDB
	East of the Ouse, Polver and Nar IDB
	Euximoor IDB
	Feldale IDB
	Fromus, Aide and Thorpeness IDB
	Haddenham Level DC
	Holmewood and District DB
	Hundred Foot Washes IDB
	Hundred of Wisbech IDB
	Kings Lynn IDB
	Ladus DDC
	Lakenheath IDB
	Lindsey Marsh DB
	Littleport and Downham IDB
	Lower Aide IDB
	Manea and Welney DDC
	March and Whittlesey IDB
	March East IDB
	March Fifth DDC
	March Sixth DDC
	March Third DDC
	Middle Fen and Mere IDB
	Middle Level Commissioners
	Mildenhall IDB
	Minsmere IDB
	Needham Burial and Birdbeck DB
	Nene Washlands Commissioners
	Nightlayers IDB
	Nordelph IDB
	Norfolk Rivers IDB
	North East Lindsey DB
	North Level District IDB
	Northwold IDB
	Old West IDB
	Over and Willingham IDB
	Padnal and Waterden IDB
	Ramsey First IDB
	Ramsey Fourth IDB
	Ramsey IDB
	Ramsey, Upwood and Great Raveley IDB
	Ransonmoor DDC
	River Blyth IDB
	River Deben IDB
	River Gipping IDB
	Sawtry IDB
	Scotter IDB
	South Holland IDB
	Southery and District IDB
	Stoke Ferry IDB
	Stringside IDB
	Sutton and Mepal IDB
	Swaffham IDB
	Swavesey IDB
	Upper Aide IDB
	Upper Witham IDB
	Upwell IDB
	Waldersey IDB
	Warboys, Somersham and Pidley IDB
	Waterbeach Level IDB
	Waveney, Lower Yare and Lothingland IDB
	Welland and Deepings IDB
	White Fen DDC
	Whittlesey IDB
	Witham First District IDB
	Witham Fourth District IDB
	Witham Third District IDB
	Woodwalton DC.

International Environmental Transformation Fund: Finance

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much funding his Department is planning to provide for the International Environmental Transformation Fund in  (a) 2008-09,  (b) 2009-10 and  (c) 2010-11; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: The UK's £800 million International Environmental Transformation Fund, announced in the 2007 budget, is for reducing poverty through environmental protection and helping developing countries respond to climate change.
	The International Environmental Transformation Fund has been divided equally between the Department for International Development and DEFRA. The DEFRA allocation is £50 million in 2008-09, £100 million in 2009-10 and £250 million in 2010-11.

Paper: Recycling

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage UK businesses to use recycled paper when sending out unsolicited mail.

Joan Ruddock: The Government-funded Waste and Resources Action Programme's (WRAP) Recycled Paper Advocacy Team has carried out work to increase demand for recycled paper, which will help encourage all companies, including those which send unsolicited mail, to move towards using recovered paper.
	The Government also have a voluntary agreement with the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) on direct mail under which they have agreed to maximise the use of recycled material. The DMA also agreed to raise recycling of direct mail to 30 per cent. by the end of 2005, 55 per cent. by the end of 2009, and 70 per cent. by the end of 2013. The DMA is currently working with BSI British Standards to develop an environmental standard for direct marketing. This is likely to include specific requirements in relation to the use of recycled paper.

Pollution Control: Noise

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps may be taken by local authorities to deal with noise pollution.

Jonathan R Shaw: A number of key statutory duties are placed upon every local authority in England and Wales by the Environmental Protection Act 1990, as amended:
	(i) the duty to inspect its area from time to time to detect any statutory nuisances which ought to be dealt with;
	(ii) the duty to take such steps as are reasonably practicable to investigate a complaint of a statutory nuisance made by a person living in its area;
	(iii) the duty to serve an abatement notice where the local authority is satisfied that a statutory nuisance exists or is likely or occur or recur within the area of the authority.
	Night noise (11 pm to 7 am) from dwellings and licensed premises can be addressed under the Noise Act 1996, as amended by the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. The night noise offence for licensed premises was introduced by section 84 and Schedule 1 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, which came into force in England on 1 October 2006. We have revised the directions for permitted noise levels and an approval for devices measuring noise levels, which came into force on the 28 February 2008.
	Offenders who exceed the "permitted level" for night time noise as measured from within a complainant's dwelling can be issued with a fixed penalty notice under the Noise Act 1996. Alternatively, the local authority can prosecute under the Noise Act 1996 or consider issuing an abatement order under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which also allows for immediate confiscation of equipment responsible for the noise.
	The new permitted level is 34 dB(A) where the underlying level does not exceed 24 dB(A), or 10 dB(A) above the underlying level where this exceeds 24 dB(A). This permitted level applies to both domestic and licensed premises.
	The Environmental Noise Directive applies to environmental noise from sources including agglomerations and major airports, roads and rail. The Directive requires member states to produce strategic noise maps and action plans to manage and reduce noise from these sources where necessary. English local authorities will be encouraged to participate in the process of drawing up action plans for agglomerations. Where action plans identify a local authority as responsible for a particular action, the authority is required to treat the action plans as its policy insofar as it relates to that action.

Vegetarianism

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent estimate he has made of the number of vegetarians living in England.

Jonathan R Shaw: DEFRA does not hold the information requested and has no intention of doing so.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Accidents: Heating

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many  (a) injuries and  (b) deaths have occurred because of malfunctioning thermostats in homes in each of the last 10 years.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 21 February 2008
	I have been asked to reply.
	The Department stopped collecting accident statistics in the home in 2002. However, data on accidents in the home place prior to 2002 can be obtained from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA).

Community Centres: Rural Areas

Brooks Newmark: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what support her Department gives to rural communities for the maintenance and improvement of village halls and community centres.

Parmjit Dhanda: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for Chatham and Aylesford (Jonathan Shaw) on 28 February 2008,  Official Report, column 873W.

Community Relations

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when her Department plans to consider how recommendation 49 in Our Shared Future should be implemented.

Parmjit Dhanda: We have yet to consider how this recommendation can be taken forward. However regional development agencies (RDAs), along with the Learning and Skills Council, Jobcentre Plus, the Skills for Business Network and a range of other stakeholders, are members of regional skills partnerships which are the vehicles for delivering the Government's strategy for skills in each English region. All partners have an existing duty to comply with equalities legislation and have developed robust procedures for monitoring and evaluating policy for their impact on individual groups.

Compost: Non-Domestic Rates

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles) of 29 January 2008,  Official Report, column 227W, on compost: non-domestic rates, when the existing policy on valuing rateable composting facilities was introduced.

John Healey: Whether facilities or property is rateable or not for the purpose of non-domestic rates depends on the facts of the case and the relevant rating legislation. It falls to the Valuation Officer to determine the rateability— there is no specific policy case by case. The relevant section of the Valuation Office rating manual clarifying guidance on the valuation of non-exempt composting properties was published on 6 September 2007.

Council Tax: Coastal Areas

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate she has made of the effect on levels of council tax of the national concessionary bus fares scheme in seaside unitary authorities.

John Healey: The level of council tax is a matter for individual authorities. We expect the average council tax increase in England to be substantially below 5 per cent. We will not hesitate to use our capping powers as necessary to protect council tax payers from excessive increases.

Departmental Cost Effectiveness

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what progress her Department has made in its zero-based budget review under the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Parmjit Dhanda: I refer the hon. Member to the annex pertaining to my Department in "Meeting the aspirations of the British people: the 2007 Pre-Budget Report and Comprehensive Spending Review" (Cm 7227).
	The Department published our "Value for Money Delivery Agreement" in January this year and this sets out how Communities and Local Government will achieve its target of at least £887 million VFM gains by March 2011.

Departmental Written Questions

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many written questions to her Department had not received an answer as at 25 February 2008 for  (a) between two and four,  (b) between four and six,  (c) between six and eight and  (d) more than eight weeks; and how many in each category were tabled for named day answer.

Parmjit Dhanda: In the period 6 November 2007 to 25 February 2008, Communities and Local Government received 1,891 written parliamentary questions, including 295 for answer on a named day. A breakdown in the form requested could not be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.

Domestic Wastes: Waste Disposal

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether a decision to move to fortnightly rubbish collections of household rubbish from weekly collections is a matter for the executive or the full council of a local authority in a local authority with a cabinet executive structure.

John Healey: Where a local authority operates executive arrangements under the Local Government Act 2000, all functions are the responsibility of the executive unless specified otherwise in the Local Authorities (Functions and Responsibilities) (England) Regulations 2000. The collection of household rubbish is not a matter which is specified in the regulations and therefore it is the responsibility of the executive, to the extent that the decision is within the authority's budget. Decisions to adopt or revise the budget are, under the regulations, matters for the full council.

Floods: EU Grants and Loans

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the status is of funding for which the Government has applied to the EU for emergency flood relief; whether the funding is additional to funding already allocated by the Government for this purpose; whether the EU funding will be spent on  (a) recovery and  (b) future flood prevention; and if she will make a statement.

John Healey: In August 2007 the UK Government applied for funding from the European Union Solidarity Fund to assist with recovery from the floods of 2007. On 10 December 2007, the EU announced that they were recommending that the UK receive €162.388 million, which will equate to around £110 million, since the exchange rate is fixed to the time of application. This recommendation was approved by the Budgetary Committee on 28 February 2008. We are currently working alongside the European Commission to draft the implementation agreement which will allow the money to be paid to the UK, and we expect to receive the money in spring.
	The nature of the EUSF is that it is to reimburse emergency operations undertaken by public bodies, we have yet to make detailed decisions on how this money is to be spent.
	The regulations that govern the EUSF are clear that the fund may only be spent on recovery from a disaster, and not on measures to prevent future disasters. We can therefore not use the EUSF to fund future flood prevention measures or on other improvement measures. Government have already announced that they will be investing over £2.15 billion on flood and coastal erosion risk management during the next three years.

Floods: Housing

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps she is taking to ensure local authorities comply with Planning Policy Statement 25 in respect of the building of residential homes in high flood risk areas; and if she will make a statement.

Iain Wright: Since the publication of Planning Policy Statement 25 "Development and Flood Risk" (PPS25) in December 2006, we have held several rounds of workshops around England with local authorities and other key stakeholders and made presentations at relevant conferences, to explain the principles involved and how to apply them. We are planning a further round of workshops after we have published the final version of the Practice Guide to PPS25.
	If local authorities are minded to approve planning applications for major residential development in flood risk areas against the advice of the Environment Agency, the 2007 flooding Direction (The Town and Country Planning (Flooding) (England) Direction 2007) allows the Secretary of State to check the compliance of the applications with PPS25 and consider calling them in for decision.
	We also work closely with the Environment Agency to monitor the performance of local planning authorities in taking Environment Agency flood risk advice into account at the planning application stage.

Housing: Elderly

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what discussions she has had with the Welsh Assembly Government on preparations for the national strategy for housing in an ageing society.

Iain Wright: The development of the Strategy, "Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods: A National Strategy for Housing in an Ageing Society" published on 25 February, involved contributions from and discussions with different stakeholders and this included officials in the Welsh Assembly Government, who were visited in the earlier stages. Colleagues at the Welsh Assembly offered some important contributions to the development of this work, such as their pioneering work on rapid repairs and adaptations. My noble Friend Baroness Andrews also wrote to Jane Davidson, Minister for the Environment, Sustainability and Housing at the Welsh Assembly Government in January before publication regarding the strategy and I recently met Jocelyn Davies, Deputy Minister for Housing at the Welsh Assembly to discuss housing matters. We hope to continue this productive relationship.

Housing: Finance

John Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much her Department has allocated to the district of Easington under the Decent Homes funding proposal on the basis that East Durham Homes  (a) achieves and  (b) does not achieve a two-star rating for each of the next six years.

Iain Wright: A funding total of £116 million has been made available to the district of Easington for capital investment to deliver decent homes. The first annual allocation would be made when the ALMO East Durham Homes (EDH) achieves two stars at an Audit Commission inspection.
	We have made available £45,000 in 2007-08 to district of Easington and EDH to help facilitate the required service performance improvements to enable the ALMO to be successful at inspection. If EDH does not receive a two star rating at the next inspection, no annual funding allocations would be made. The Department would need to review the ability of EDH to deliver the service performance improvements required, and hence a Decent Homes investment programme.

Housing: Finance

John Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what adjustment to funding from her Department to the district of Easington under the Decent Homes funding proposal between 2009 and 2014 there will be to take account of inflation  (a) since the original arm's length management organisation submission was made by East Durham Homes in 2004 and  (b) in each year between 2009 and 2014.

Iain Wright: The Department does not intend to make any adjustment for inflation to the Decent Homes funding available to the district of Easington.

Housing: Lancashire

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps her Department is taking to improve housing in Morecambe.

Iain Wright: Regeneration in Morecambe is currently targeting the West End where a sustained period of redevelopment will increase owner occupation, reduce the rented sector, provide a more balanced community, improve physical environment and maximize the opportunity for local job creation.
	A masterplan has been developed for the West End (Winning Back Morecambe's West End); key partners include the city council, English Partnerships, the Housing Corporation and North West Development Agency. Its core objectives include to change the tenure mix in the area and to create more family accommodation.
	The Housing Corporation is working positively with Lancaster city council and English Partnerships to deliver the strategy for Morecambe. Most recently they met Lancaster councillors to discuss a longer term the needs of Morecambe and an integrated strategy.
	Future housing development in Morecambe will be determined through public consultation on the Lancaster District Core Strategy, which proposes the continuing regeneration of the town.

Housing: Low Incomes

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in which local authority areas she expects all social housing to have been brought up to the decent homes standards by 2010; which local authorities are not on target to meet the standard by 2010; what estimate she has made of the additional spending required above current spending plans to enable all local authorities to reach the standard by 2010; and what steps her Department is taking to help local authorities to improve all non-decent social housing.

Iain Wright: A table providing details of local authority delivery dates for decent homes has been placed in the Library of the House.
	Local authorities delivering beyond 2010-11 are those who have included major regeneration programmes in their plans which take time to complete, where they have taken time to find an agreed way forward or put plans in place and where the scale of their delivery programme is such that it needs to extend beyond 2010-11.
	By 2010 we expect over £40 billion will have been spent on delivering decent homes across all social landlords.
	We have not made any estimate of the increased cost to the public purse of requiring all local authorities to effectively bring forward works to meet the decent homes standard by 2010 where they have programmes that extend beyond this date.
	Government offices will continue to work with those few local authorities who have not finalised their delivery options.
	Where delivery is through an arm's length management organisation (ALMO) additional capital funding is dependent on the ALMO receiving a 2 star Audit Commission inspection report on its housing management services. The Department is prepared to consider providing some financial support to local authorities where that has not been achieved to help facilitate the required service performance improvements.

Housing: Regional Planning and Development

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what account her Department plans to take of the core principles of the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy set out in paragraphs 3.4 and 3.14 in the development of its strategy for housing in the region.

Parmjit Dhanda: The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has appointed an independent panel to consider the West Midlands regional spatial strategy (RSS) phase 2 revision which sets out planned levels of housing development for the West Midlands. The panel will need to consider and test the proposals set out in the revised draft submission as prepared by the regional planning body as well as any additional evidence relating to this at the examination in public of the RSS phase 2 revision.
	My noble Friend Baroness Andrews has requested the Government office for the West Midlands to commission work to look at housing options which could deliver higher housing numbers than those set out in the phase 2 revision. This additional work will be evidence to be considered by the panel at the examination in public alongside the draft RSS submission document.
	In asking for this additional work to be undertaken, my noble Friend Baroness Andrews was clear in her letter to the West Midlands regional assembly that she does not wish to fundamentally question the spatial strategy for the region in advance of the public examination. However, she is also concerned that the very rigid applications of some of the principles of the spatial strategy may be unnecessarily constraining longer-term development with implications on affordability of housing. This will also be an issue for the panel to consider.
	At this stage, it is inappropriate for the Secretary of State to comment on emerging proposals for housing development and the evidence underpinning these in advance of the examination in public as these matters need to be independently tested. Furthermore, as the Secretary of State has a statutory role in the issuing of the final RSS, any comments at this stage on the merits of emerging proposals could prejudice her future decision-making role.

Land: Prices

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the average cost of a hectare of land which had been approved for development was in each local authority in each year between 1997 and 2007; and if she will make a statement.

Iain Wright: Communities and Local Government publish data on the average valuation of a hectare of land which has been approved for development at the regional level based on data from the Valuation Office Agency at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/141389

Local Authorities: Public Libraries

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which local authorities cited efficiencies related to changes in public library provision in submissions of  (a) forward and  (b) backward look annual efficiency statements to her Department in each year since their inception.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I have been asked to reply.
	Local authorities report their efficiency gains to the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) through annual efficiency statements, which are published on the Department's website at:
	www.communities.gov.uk/localgovernment/efficiencybetter/deliveringefficiency
	Guidance to councils on the completion of annual efficiency statements is available at:
	www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/measuringreporting
	Local authorities report efficiencies across the culture and sport sectors for which they are responsible; they are not obliged to complete the statements specifically identifying efficiencies in the public library sector and therefore we are unable to provide accurate data for this sector alone.

Local Government Finance

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what each local authority's  (a) target according to the funding formula and  (b) actual funding allocation following the application of the dampening mechanism was in each year since 1997; and what the real term change in funding was in each year.

John Healey: Tables showing the formula grant before floor damping, the formula grant after floor damping, and the real-terms change year-on-year on a like-for-like basis, i.e. after adjusting for changes in funding and function, for 2001-02 for authorities with responsibility for education and social services and for each year since 2002-03 for all authorities have been deposited in the Library of the House.
	Formula grant comprises revenue support grant, redistributed business rates, principal formula police grant, SSA reduction grant (SSA Review), SSA reduction grant (Police Funding Review) and central support protection grant, where appropriate.
	Floor damping was introduced in 2001-02 for authorities with responsibility for education and social services. In the following year floor damping was introduced for all authorities. Floor damping is an integral part of the formula grant systemthe amount of formula grant before floor damping is not a funding target, it is simply a step in the calculation of the amount of formula grant that an authority receives.
	The GDP deflator has been used to adjust the previous year's adjusted formula grant in order to calculate the real-terms increase in formula grant. The adjusted formula grant is a notional figure that is only used to ensure that we compare formula grant for damping purposes on a like-for-like basis (i.e. that we are comparing against the amount of grant the authority would have received had the same services been supported through formula grant as in the current year).

Local Government Finance: Ethnic Groups

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of trends in funding for black and minority ethnic organisations by local authorities.

Parmjit Dhanda: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Local Government Finance: Ethnic Groups

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of the implications of the review by Darra Singh of her Department's consultation on community cohesion on funding for black and minority ethnic organisations by local authorities; and if she will make a statement.

Parmjit Dhanda: Our Shared Future, the report of the Commission on Integration and Cohesion, chaired by Darra Singh, was published in June 2007. The report included a number of recommendations including some on funding issues, in particular that Government produce guidance on 'single group funding'. The Government's full response to the Commission's report was published on 4 February and alongside it we also launched a consultation on cohesion guidance for funders, in line with the Compact Code of Practice governing relations between Government and the third sector. The consultation paper committed to producing a full equality impact assessment, drawing on consultation responses, once the consultation process has concluded. The consultation ends on 26 May 2008.

Local Government Finance: North East Lincolnshire Council

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much North East Lincolnshire Council collected in council tax in each year since 1997; and how much it received in  (a) special,  (b) liveability,  (c) working neighbourhood and  (d) neighbourhood renewal grants in each such year.

John Healey: Data on the council tax requirement and specific grants within aggregate external finance (AEF) (including neighbourhood renewal fund) for North East Lincolnshire council are tabled as follows:
	
		
			   million 
			   Council tax requirement  Specific grants within AEF  Of which:  neighbourhood renewal fund 
			 1997-98 32.8 4.3  
			 1998-99 34.7 5.1  
			 1999-2000 36.2 8.7  
			 2000-01 38.6 12.4  
			 2001-02 40.8 19.7 0 
			 2002-03 44.4 23.4 0 
			 2003-04 48.8 38.1 0 
			 2004-05 49.7 39.6 0 
			 2005-06 52.8 36.2 0.1 
			 2006-07 54.4 139.3 3.4 
			  Source: Communities and Local Government Revenue Outturn (RO) returns. 
		
	
	Figures are as supplied by the local authority to Communities and Local Government.
	The authority has not reported any joint liveability grant received over this period.
	Working neighbourhoods fund (WNF) is a new grant replacing the existing neighbourhood renewal fund, payment of which commences from April 2008.
	Local authority council tax requirement is the council tax available to finance revenue expenditure, not council tax collected.
	Special grants have been interpreted as specific grants within AEF which are defined here as those revenue grants paid for council's core services (e.g. dedicated schools grant (DSG) and standards fund).
	The aforementioned grants exclude specific grants outside AEF, capital grants, funding for the local authority's housing management responsibilities and those grant programmes (such as European funding) where the authority is simply one of the recipients of funding paid towards an area.
	The large change in specific grants within AEF from 2005-06 to 2006-07 is because local authorities now receive funding for schools through the DSG rather than as part of formula grant.
	Comparisons across years may not be valid due to changing local authority responsibilities.

Planning: Casinos

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what planning guidance she has issued on the development of casinos within town centres.

Iain Wright: National planning policy on the development of casinos within town centres is set out in 'Planning Policy Statement 6: Planning for Town Centres' (PPS6). PPS6 confirms that casinos are one of the main 'town centre uses' to which the policy applies.
	PPS6 should be read alongside other relevant statements of national planning policy, in particular 'Planning Policy Statement 1: Delivering Sustainable Development', which is the Government's overarching planning policy, and 'Planning Policy Guidance Note 13: Transport'.
	Further planning guidance is given in the 'Casinos: Statement of National Policy' which was jointly issued by this Department and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in December 2004.

Regional Government: Brussels

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles) of 18 December 2007,  Official Report, columns 1343-44W, on regional government: Brussels, if she will place in the Library copies of the most recent set of audited accounts of each of the regional offices in Brussels.

John Healey: The offices in Brussels are facilities. They are not separate organisations. Their costs are borne by the regional partners who fund them, including the regional development agencies, regional arms of the Local Government Association and regional assemblies. These costs are included in the partner organisations' published accounts available on their websites. Those for the regional assemblies, for which my Department is responsible, were included in the answer to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles) of 18 December 2007,  Official Report, columns 1343-44W.

Regional Ministers

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many meetings she has had with each regional Minister in their capacity as such; and what the  (a) date and  (b) subject of each of those meetings was.

Hazel Blears: Information relating to internal discussion and advice is not disclosed.

Regional Ministers

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many meetings each regional Minister has had in their capacity as regional Minister; and what the  (a) date and  (b) subject was of each of these meetings.

Hazel Blears: All regional Ministers have undertaken a variety of meetings and visits in their regions. They have met local authorities, regional bodies and other organisations and attended engagements including stakeholder events and visits to local projects and communities. To provide further details on meetings would incur disproportionate costs.

Regional Ministers

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many visits each regional Minister has made in their capacity as such to  (a) hospitals and  (b) schools in their region; which (i) hospitals and (ii) schools each visited; and what the (A) date and (B) subject of each visit was.

Hazel Blears: Visits to hospitals and schools by regional Ministers (undertaken in this capacity) are set out as follows:
	
		
			  The Minister for the East 
			  Hospital  Date  Subject  of v isit 
			 Watford General Hospital 17 January 2008 Visit to Watford Health Campus 
		
	
	
		
			  The Minister for the South West 
			  School/hospital  Date  Subject of visit 
			 Tewkesbury Hospital 25 July 2007 To discuss effect of flooding on the hospital 
		
	
	
		
			  The Minister for the North West 
			  School/hospital  Date visited  Subject of visit 
			 Bolton Hospital 3 December 2007 Opening of Children's Ward and discussion of child dedicated A and E provision and improving performance to reduce health inequalities 
		
	
	
		
			  The Minister for the North East 
			  School/hospital  Date  Subject of v isit 
			 Freeman Hospital, Newcastle 8 August 2007 Tour of new building 
			 Sir Charles Parsons School, Newcastle 21 September 2007 Visit after school was designated a science college 
		
	
	 Other regional Ministers
	The Ministers for the South East, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands and London have to date made no visits to schools or hospitals.

Regional Planning and Development: South East

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when her response to the Examination in Public report on the South East Plan will be published.

Parmjit Dhanda: At this stage Communities and Local Government is unable to commit to a precise publication date for the proposed changes given the complexity of the issues involved. As part of the process we are carrying out technical assessments aimed at demonstrating the level of consistency with the objectives of delivering sustainable development and assessing any impact on habitats protected by European legislation. Communities and Local Government hope to have completed this work in the next few months.
	We also want to ensure that, when the proposed changes are published, sufficient time is available for a full 12-week public consultation to be undertaken, during which local authority and other committee cycles allow proper consideration. With this in mind the Secretary of State aims to publish the proposed changes before the summer recess.

Smoking: Public Places

John Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what each local authority in County Durham has spent on enforcing the ban on smoking in enclosed public places.

Parmjit Dhanda: The information requested is not held centrally.

Stamp Duties: Tax Allowances

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when she will bring into force the provisions of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 enabling tenants who have exercised their right to collective enfranchisement to receive stamp duty relief on purchases of freehold, pursuant to section 74 of the Finance Act 2003.

Iain Wright: Sections 121-124 of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 (the 2002 Act) make a number of changes to the right of collective enfranchisement for tenants of flats under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 (the 1993 Act). In particular, the changes would require collective enfranchisement to be carried out by an RTE company that is defined under new section 4A.
	Section 74 of the Finance Act 2003 provides for stamp duty land tax (SDLT) relief for RTE companies exercising collective enfranchisement. The provision is designed to ensure that the members of the RTE company have to fund SDLT at a rate broadly appropriate to their own contribution to the purchase and do not suffer a higher rate of tax because they are acquiring the freehold under a collective arrangement.
	Sections 121-124 of the 2002 Act have not yet been commenced because there appear to be a number of practical difficulties with the provisions which will need further investigation. As such, new section 4A has not been introduced and as a result tenants exercising their right of collective enfranchisement do not yet benefit from the SDLT relief provided for in section 74 of the Finance Act 2003, although this remains the intention once the practical difficulties have been resolved.

BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM

Alcoholic Drinks

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will introduce measures to assist investment and growth in the brewing industry; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government encourage investment and growth through a range of measures including tax incentives, such as capital allowances and RD tax credits, and business support schemes such as the Grant for Research and Development and Selective Finance for Investment. We have also introduced a range of measures through the Government Manufacturing Strategy, including the Manufacturing Advisory Service, which provides practical assistance to help companies in all sectors to improve their competitiveness. We have no plans to introduce specific measures for the brewing industry.

Biofuels

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 
	(1)  what the total annual consumption of  (a) biodiesel and  (b) bioethanol in England was in each of the last five years (i) in total and (ii) broken down by region; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of potential levels of consumption of  (a) biodiesel and  (b) bioethanol in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: I have been asked to reply.
	The figures for previous years are set out in table 1 as follows.
	
		
			  Millions of litres 
			   UK biodiesel consumption  UK bioethanol consumption 
			 2003 19 0 
			 2004 21 0 
			 2005 33 85 
			 2006 169 95 
			 2007 (provisional) 347 153 
		
	
	Further details are available via the HM Revenue and Customs website at http://www.uktradeinfo.com. The Government do not keep data on the regional distribution of biofuel sales.
	The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) is due to come into effect in April 2008. The levels of the RTFO are set out in the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations Order 2007 (SI 3072). It will be up to transport fuel suppliers to decide how to meet their obligations. Some, for example, may choose to supply more biodiesel than bioethanol, particularly in the early years of the obligation. The Renewable Fuels Agency (RFA) will be reporting regularly on these matters. The Government currently estimate that total biofuel consumption in the UK is likely to be in the region of 1.2 billion litres in 2008, 1.8 billion litres in 2009, and 2.5 billion litres in 2010.

Coal Fired Power Stations: Carbon Sequestration

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of the percentage of UK coal generation by tonnes of carbon dioxide emitted which will be sequestered through carbon capture and storage by 2015.

Malcolm Wicks: The only carbon capture and storage capacity expected to be operational by 2015 is the CCS demonstration project which is expected to commence operation by 2014 or shortly thereafter. This will sequester about 1.5 million tonnes per year.

Coal Fired Power Stations: Carbon Sequestration

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 
	(1)  where the costs of the retrofit of carbon capture and storage technology to the proposed Kingsnorth power station will fall;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the cost of retrofitting the proposed Kingsnorth advanced supercritical power station with  (a) carbon capture and storage technology,  (b) integrated gasification combined cycle technologies and  (c) other coal-based technologies.

Malcolm Wicks: The costs of fitting any carbon capture and storage technology would fall to the applicant.

Coal Fired Power Stations: Combined Heat and Power

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what representations he has received from  (a) local stakeholders and  (b) environmental non-governmental organisations as part of his consideration of the installation of plant and pipework in Medway to facilitate combined heat and power facilities in and around existing coal-fired power plants.

Malcolm Wicks: While the Department has received several representations on the use of combined heat and power at the proposed station at Kingsnorth, none refer to existing coal-fired stations.

Coal Fired Power Stations: Combined Heat and Power

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what representations he has had from environmental non-governmental organisations on the use of combined heat and power at the proposed new coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth.

Malcolm Wicks: Numerous representations, including Natural England, the Environment Agency and Greenpeace, have been received on the use of combined heat and power.

Coal Fired Power Stations: Construction

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what representations he has received from environmental non-governmental organisations on mitigation measures designed to safeguard the presence of birds during the construction and operational phases of the proposed coal power station at Kingsnorth.

Malcolm Wicks: Representations have been received from the Environment Agency, Natural England, Kent Wildlife Trust and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

Coal Fired Power Stations: Greater London Authority

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what discussions he has had with the Greater London Authority on the merits of the proposed Kingsnorth coal-fired power station.

Malcolm Wicks: No such discussions have taken place nor can the Department discuss the merits of a particular application which is currently under consideration.

Coal Fired Power Stations: Industrial Waste

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 
	(1)  what representations he has had from industries associated with pulverised fuel ash on any increased production of fuel ash resulting from the operation of new UK coal-fired power stations;
	(2)  what representations he has received from environmental non-governmental organisations on the creation of an environmental mitigation area during the construction and operational phases of any new coal-fired power station development in the UK;
	(3)  what representations he has had from the construction industry on changes to the rate of production of pulverised fuel ash resulting from the development of new UK coal-fired power stations.

Malcolm Wicks: No such representations have been received on the one coal-fired power station currently with the Secretary of State. Parties wishing to make such representations on any new coal-fired power station can do so when the application is submitted.

Coal Fired Power Stations: Kingsnorth

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the  (a) technical and  (b) financial provision required to secure a commitment from the applicant company that the proposed Kingsnorth coal-fired power station will be (i) carbon capture-ready and (ii) retrofitted with carbon capture and storage technology;
	(2)  what technical assessment he plans to make of the suitability of the infrastructure which E.ON has proposed for the carbon capture and storage retrofit at Kingsnorth;
	(3)  if he will require  (a) E.ON to capture carbon at the proposed Kingsnorth power station and  (b) the proposed Kingsnorth plant to be capture ready;
	(4)  what technical requirements for  (a) preparation of flue gas for capture process,  (b) capture of carbon post-combustion,  (d) disposal of wastes from the process,  (d) compression of carbon dioxide,  (e) transport of carbon dioxide infrastructure and provision,  (f) injection of carbon dioxide,  (g) identification and provision of storage site and  (h) monitoring of storage facility will form the basis of capture readiness of the proposed Kingsnorth power plant.

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 
	(1)  whether the developer of the proposed Kingsnorth power station in Kent has applied for a licence to dispose of its carbon dioxide by carbon capture and storage; and whether grant of this licence is a prerequisite for approval of the proposal as a whole;
	(2)  whether a carbon storage site has been identified for the proposed Kingsnorth power station; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what obligations the developer of the proposed coal-fired power plant at Kingsnorth is under to provide carbon capture and storage technology at the plant; what the arrangements are for defraying the cost of such technology; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: Capture readiness is one of the issues the Secretary of State will consider as part of his decision on whether or not to grant consent to E.ON's application for consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 to construct a new coal-fired generating station at Kingsnorth.

Coal Fired Power Stations: Kingsnorth

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the timescale is of the conduct of the air quality assessment requested in relation to the proposed power station at Kingsnorth in Kent.

Malcolm Wicks: An assessment of atmospheric emissions is contained in the Environmental Statement which accompanied the application.

Coal Fired Power Stations: Kingsnorth

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what discussions he has had, and with whom, on the implementation of on-site archaeological work during the construction and operational phases of proposals for coal-fired power station development  (a) at Kingsnorth in Kent and  (b) in the UK.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department is currently discussing suggested conditions to be included in any planning permission the Secretary of State may deem to be granted with Medway Council. These conditions will cover archaeological investigation and preservation.

Coal Fired Power Stations: Kingsnorth

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what representations he has received on  (a) vehicular circulation roadways,  (b) traffic generation and its mitigation,  (c) modifications to (i) Roper's Lane, (ii) Stoke Road, (iii) Four Elms roundabout and (iv) the A228 between Roper's Lane roundabout and Grain,  (d) site access,  (e) construction-related traffic and  (f) loading, unloading and turning facilities for construction vehicles in relation to the proposed power station at Kingsnorth in Kent, broken down by category of organisation; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department has received representations from Medway council and has been made aware of the concerns of local residents and parish councils regarding traffic movements and upgrading of local roads to accommodate traffic associated with the proposed power station at Kingsnorth.

Coal Fired Power Stations: Kingsnorth

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what representations he has received on  (a) land and  (b) waterway contamination relating to (i) potential construction and (ii) the operational phase of the proposed power station at Kingsnorth in Kent, broken down by category of organisation.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department has received representations on contaminated land from the Environment Agency.

Coal Fired Power Stations: Kingsnorth

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what representations he has received on  (a) the environmental impact,  (b) the potential effect on (i) ringed plovers and other birds, (ii) water voles, (iii) reptiles, (iv) biodiversity and (iv) natural water temperatures and  (c) the environmental management plan of the proposed power station at Kingsnorth in Kent, broken down by type of organisation; and what discussions he has had on such matters with Cabinet colleagues.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department has received representations from Natural England, the Environment Agency, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and Kent Wildlife Trust on a wide range of issues relating to ecological and environmental issues. No discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the matters mentioned in the question have taken place.

Coal Fired Power Stations: Kingsnorth

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what plans there are to  (a) incorporate and  (b) retro-fit carbon storage and capture technology in relation to the proposed power station at Kingsnorth in Kent; what the estimated cost to the public purse is of such plans; what discussions he has had, and with whom, on such plans; what representations he has received on this matter and from whom; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: No. Carbon capture readiness is one of the issues which the Secretary of State will take into account before deciding whether or not to grant consent to E.ON's application for his consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 to construct a new coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth.
	The costs of including carbon capture plant would fall to the applicant.
	Neither the Secretary of State nor Ministers have had discussions with any party about E.ON's proposal to construct a new coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth. Any written representations will be taken into account before the Secretary of State takes his decision on the application.

Coal Fired Power Stations: Kingsnorth

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment he has made of the availability of carbon sinks in the UK suitable to store captured carbon dioxide from the proposed Kingsnorth power station; what representations he has received on this matter and from whom; and what estimate he has made of the likely costs of transporting carbon dioxide from Kingsnorth to the most likely site for storage.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government have published two recent studies on the availability of carbon dioxide sinks generally. The first in 2006, was undertaken by the British Geological Survey and looked at sources and sinks for CO2 . This concluded that the combined CO2 storage potential in North Sea sinks should be sufficient to meet both UK and Norwegian needs for many decades. Industrial Carbon Dioxide Emission and Carbon Dioxide Storage Potential in the UK (Holloway, S., Vincent C.J. and Kirk, K.L) DTI Cleaner Fossil fuels programme report COAL R308, DTI Publications URN 06/2027: is available at:
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file35684.pdf
	The second, published in November 2007, under the auspices of the North Sea Basin Task Force, focused not just on the sinks, but also on the pipe work infrastructure needed to transport the CO2 from its source to its storage site. It is available at:
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/energy/sources/sustainable/carbon-abatement-tech/ccs/nsbtf/page42482.html
	I have received no representations on this matter.
	Estimates of costs for transporting carbon dioxide from Kingsnorth to any storage site would be a matter for the developer.

Coal Fired Power Stations: Kingsnorth

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment he has made of the likely effect on regeneration projects and housing developments of the construction of the proposed power station at Kingsnorth in Kent.

Malcolm Wicks: No representations or assessment have been received or made.

Coal Fired Power Stations: Kingsnorth

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 
	(1)  what the timescale is for  (a) demolition,  (b) site remediation and  (c) decommissioning of surplus operational areas in relation to the existing power station at Kingsnorth in Kent;
	(2)  what representations he has received, and from whom, on the  (a) demolition,  (b) site remediation and  (c) decommissioning of surplus operational areas in relation to the existing power station at Kingsnorth in Kent.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department will require the existing station to be decommissioned as soon as practicable after the new station is commissioned should the Secretary of State be minded to grant consent. Representations have been made by various organisations and individuals regarding remediation and these comments will be taken into account before any decision on the application is taken.

Coal Fired Power Stations: Kingsnorth

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment the Government has made of the likely effects of air pollution arising from the proposed Kingsnorth power station on  (a) the local population and  (b) protected habitats and species.

Malcolm Wicks: An assessment of atmospheric emissions is contained in the Environmental Statement which accompanied the application. It will be for the Environment Agency to set limits which will ensure that the risk to health and flora and fauna is as low as is reasonably practicable.

Coal Fired Power Stations: Kingsnorth

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment he has made of the effect of any change in storage needs for ash on the design and build process for the proposed coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth.

Malcolm Wicks: No assessment has been made as no ash is to be stored on site.

Coal Fired Power Stations: Parking

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what representations he has received from  (a) industry groups,  (b) trade unions and  (c) environmental non-governmental organisations on the (i) layout and (ii) size of the parking area of the proposed coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth and its likely effect on local traffic patterns; and what discussions he has had on the matter with the Secretary of State for Transport.

Malcolm Wicks: No such representations have been received and no discussions on these matters have taken place with the Secretary of State for Transport.

Coal Fired Power Stations: Planning Permission

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what factors he will take into account in considering the application for consent for a coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth; and what national policy considerations he considers relevant to the application.

Malcolm Wicks: The Secretary of State will take into account all matters, including national policy, that he considers relevant to his consideration of the application.

Coal Fired Power Stations: Planning Permission

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform to which Government departments and agencies his Department has referred the application for consent for a coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth; and what comments and advice have been sought in each case.

Malcolm Wicks: Listed as follows are the Government Departments and Agencies which the Department consulted:
	Department for Transport
	Department for Food and Rural Affairs (Energy Markets)
	Civil Aviation Authority
	Ministry of Defence
	Environment Agency (Kent area office)
	Natural England (Kent team)
	Government office for the south-east (planning casework)
	London Thames Gateway Development Corporation
	Health and Safety ExecutiveHazardous Installations Directorate (east and south-east regional office)
	All comments and advice received will be taken into account before any decision on the application is taken.

Coal Fired Power Stations: Pollution

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 
	(1)  what representations he has received from archaeological groups on investigations to determine the nature and extent of existing land or waterway contamination prior to the construction and operational phases of new coal power station development in the UK;
	(2)  what representations he has received from industry groups on investigations to determine the nature and extent of existing land or waterway contamination prior to the construction and operational phases of new coal power station development in the UK;
	(3)  what representations he has received from industry groups on the creation of environmental mitigation areas during the construction and operational phases of any new coal power station development;
	(4)  what representations he has received from  (a) environmental non-governmental organisations and  (b) industry groups on mitigation measures designed to safeguard the presence of birds during the construction and operational phases of any proposed new coal power stations;
	(5)  what representations he has received from  (a) industry groups and  (b) environmental non-governmental organisations on mitigation measures designed to safeguard the presence of reptiles during the construction and operational phases of coal-fired power station development in the UK.

Malcolm Wicks: It is for those who wish to make such representations on any new coal-fired power station to do so when an application is submitted.

Coal Fired Power Stations: Public Participation

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what opportunities he plans to provide for public participation in the consenting process for the proposed Kingsnorth coal-fired power station.

Malcolm Wicks: The application and accompanying Environmental Statement were published in accordance with the requirements of the Electricity (Applications for Consent) Regulations 1990 (SI 1990 No 455) and the Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 200 (SI 2000 No 1927). The notices contained details of how anyone who wished to make representations could do so.
	In addition, anyone who wishes to make representations is free to do so and any such representations will be taken into account before any decision on the application is taken. The Secretary of State will have to consider whether or not to use his discretion to call for a public inquiry to be held into the application.

Coal: Pollution Control

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what recent representations he has had from environmental non-governmental organisations on clean coal technologies.

Malcolm Wicks: Officials from my Department have regular discussions with representatives from environmental NGOs covering a range of energy policies, including clean coal technologies.

Departmental Carbon Emissions

Fraser Kemp: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps he has taken to reduce his Department's carbon dioxide emissions in the next financial year.

Gareth Thomas: My Department has recently undertaken energy audits across its estate. Projects identified to reduce carbon emissions include using lighting controls more effectively and piloting the use of LED technology. Staff are encouraged to use video conferencing and to consider how they travel to meetings. Bike loans are also available to staff and environmental awareness campaigns are regularly conducted.

Direct Mail: Unsolicited Goods and Services

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of the volume of unsolicited commercial advertising mail received by UK citizens from companies registered outside the UK; and what steps he plans to take to reduce such mailings.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government consider direct-mail advertising to be a legitimate method for marketing goods and services and have no plans to prohibit such mailings within the UK.
	The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) runs schemes such as the Mailing Preference Service (MPS) that provide UK consumers with a choice to reduce the amount of unsolicited mail they receive, though the MPS does not cover mailings from overseas companies.
	In 2007, the DMA received just over 500 complaints about unsolicited mailings from overseas companies. The majority of these complaints were in relation to perceived scams, which were referred to the Office of Fair Trading for investigation. In such cases, the OFT will investigate and where appropriate will have such mailings stopped.
	Only 2 per cent. of these complaints were from consumers who had found that the MPS had not stopped an unsolicited approach from an overseas company. Such mailings are not covered by the MPS, as the company and product have no link with the UK. In such cases customers had found themselves on a mailing list as a result of past contact with the company, in which case they are advised to contact the respective company direct to ask for their details to be removed from the mailing list.

Electricity: Prices

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will take steps to prevent utility companies from doubling the charge for off-peak electricity used in night storage heaters.

Malcolm Wicks: The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) is responsible for regulating gas and electricity supply, including prices. Ofgem recently announced that it was launching an investigation into the operation of energy supply market. It will be open to Ofgem to decide whether additional regulatory action is required.

Energy: Coal

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will make a statement on the contribution of supercritical coal to the UK's projected 2015 energy mix.

Malcolm Wicks: On current projections we anticipate that between 2,000 and 3,000 MW of new supercritical coal capacity will be built by 2015. There are significant uncertainties in such estimates.

Energy: Complaints

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will take steps to ensure that the new complaint handling standard for gas and electricity consumers reflects the views of consumers outlined by Ofgem in Consumers Views on Complaint Handling published in November 2007 on the accuracy and transparency of information provided by suppliers; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: The Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007 provides for Ofgem to set complaint handling standards for its regulated service providers. The report Research on Consumers' Views on Complaint Handling was commissioned by Ofgem specifically to feed into its decisions on prescribing complaint handling standards, as is made clear in the introduction to the report. Ofgem has also undertaken a public consultation on its proposals on this issue. It may be expected that these exercises will contribute to the formulation of the standards.

Fireworks: Noise

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will prohibit the use of noise category three fireworks.

Gareth Thomas: Category three fireworks are the only consumer fireworks that already have a maximum noise limit, set at 120 decibels.
	As part of the implementation of the EU's Pyrotechnics Directive all consumer fireworks will eventually have maximum noise limits, these limits are currently under consideration by the European Standardisation body CEN.

Fireworks: Sales

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what plans the Government has for future restrictions on the sale of fireworks; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: We are currently considering how the implementation of the EU's Pyrotechnic Directive in the UK will interact with and require amendment of our national regulations on fireworks.

Fuel Poverty: Greater London

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform when he plans to produce figures for levels of fuel poverty in London and London boroughs for  (a) 2004,  (b) 2005,  (c) 2006 and  (d) 2007.

Malcolm Wicks: Figures for number of households in fuel poverty in London for 2004 and 2005 are already available. The figures for 2005 are available in table 29 of the publication Fuel Poverty 2005: Detailed Tables (http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file42705.pdf), an annex to the latest strategy report. The following table shows the situation for 2004 and 2005.
	
		
			  Estimated number of fuel poor households in London 
			   Number 
			 2004 119,000 
			 2005 120,000 
		
	
	Corresponding figures for 2006 will be published later this year, and those for 2007 will be published next year.
	Sub-regional estimates of fuel poverty were most recently produced for 2003. In addition, fuel poverty features as an indicator within the new performance framework for local government. This requires local authorities to measure progress in tackling fuel poverty through the improved energy efficiency of households inhabited by people claiming income-based benefits. Results of this new indicator are likely to be available for the first time late in 2008.

Internet: Surrey

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 
	(1)  what percentage of homes have access to  (a) dial up internet connection,  (b) broadband and  (c) high speed broadband in (i) the Tandridge District Council area and (ii) the Reigate and Banstead Borough Council area;
	(2)  what percentage of rural households in Surrey have access to  (a) dial up internet connection,  (b) broadband and  (c) high speed broadband.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 21 February 2008
	The matter raised is the responsibility of the independent regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom), which is accountable to Parliament rather than Ministers. Accordingly, I have asked the chief executive of Ofcom to reply directly to the hon. Member. Copies of the chief executive's letter will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas: Standards

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will make it his policy that all suppliers of liquid petroleum gas be regulated by the energy supply ombudsman.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 29 February 2008
	The UK liquefied petroleum gas market (LPG) is not regulated by an energy supply ombudsman.
	The Competition Commission (CC) recently carried out an investigation into the issues that could prevent, restrict, or distort competition for the supply of domestic bulk liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The conclusions were published in June 2006. The CC is now devising a package of remedies, on which it has consulted, and is looking to impose them through two orders on the industry. More information is available on the CC's website:
	http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/inquiries/current/gas/index.htm.
	The OFT has been closely involved in this work as it has progressed. The CC plans to publish the orders in May and July 2008. The OFT will monitor the orders and follow up any alleged breaches of it with the suppliers concerned.

Mining: Compensation

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much his Department has recouped from solicitors following the recent court ruling on coal compensation schemes.

Malcolm Wicks: The total outstanding funds that the Department wanted to recoup for the optional risk offer scheme in respect of the respiratory disease compensation scheme was 80.6 million.
	As at 3 March 2008, the Department has recovered a total of 62.7 million leaving 17.9 million outstanding.

Mining: Compensation

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform which solicitors have not repaid the money they owe to the Government following the recent court ruling on coal compensation schemes.

Malcolm Wicks: The following list shows the claimants' representatives who have outstanding funds to repay the Department in excess of 100,000:
	 Claimants representatives
	Beresfords
	Avalon
	UDM
	Delta Legal
	Ingrams
	Hilary Meredith
	Recompense Ltd.
	Ashton Morton Slack LLP
	Cordner Lewis
	McConville O'Neill
	Bailey Bravo Jobling
	Birchall Blackburn
	Simpson Millar
	MLM
	Kidd and Spoor Harper
	MK Legal LLP

Non-Departmental Public Bodies: Finance

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the budgeted operating cost for  (a) the National Consumer Council,  (b) Energywatch,  (c) Postwatch and  (d) Consumer Direct is for 2008-09.

Gareth Thomas: The information is as follows.
	 Budgeted operating cost:
	The budgeted operating costs for the National Consumer Council, Energywatch and Postwatch have yet to be agreed. The Department expects to receive the provisional budgetary estimates for the respective organisations shortly that will need to be formally approved.
	Consumer Direct is funded directly by the Office of Fair Trading. The budgeted operational costs for 2008-09 has yet to be agreed, but will be confirmed by 31 March. The Chief Executive of the Office of Fair Trading will write to the hon. Member when the final budget is agreed.

Nuclear Decommissioning Authority: Foreign Workers

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many foreign nationals have been employed by the  (a) Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and  (b) its sub-contractors since its establishment.

Malcolm Wicks: Figures provided by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) show that 12 foreign nationals have been employed since its establishment. The NDA does not hold information about the nationality of employees of its sub-contractors. However, all those working on NDA sites are subject to rigorous vetting procedures.
	The Office for Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS) vetting process follows Cabinet Office Guidance on HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standarda Good Practice Guide to the Pre-Employment Screening of Government Staff and Contractors and the Cabinet Office Manual of Protective Security. OCNS has also reminded the civil nuclear industry of the need to be compliant with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.

Offshore Drilling: Nature Conservation

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what consideration he gives to risks to bottlenose dolphin populations when determining licences for oil and gas extraction.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Ceredigion (Mark Williams) on 3 March 2008,  Official Report, column 2233W.

Opencast Mining: Health Hazards

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will hold discussions with UK Coal on funding research into the links between levels of asthma in children and the proximity of  (a) residential areas and  (b) schools to open cast mining areas.

Malcolm Wicks: Areas of research to be funded by UK Coal are a matter for the company and the Department has no proposals to raise the matter of research funding with them.
	The Department is not aware of any current research which shows a scientific link between asthma and surface mine coal production.

Post Offices: Closures

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what criteria will be used in deciding which post offices will be closed following the current review.

Patrick McFadden: After Post Office Ltd.'s network change programme, the network will comprise of around 11,500 offices and should be sustainable at this level from the combination of the current reduction of network size and the improved viability of remaining offices through migration of business, the company's wider savings in central overhead costs, the return of the Crown network to profitability and the Government's subsidy of up to 150 million a year to support the non-commercial part of the network.

Radioactive Wastes: Waste Management

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what proposals he is considering to make financial incentives available to local communities that agree to accept a repository for nuclear waste.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government recently consulted on the framework for implementing geological disposal for higher activity radioactive wastes as part of the Managing Radioactive Waste Safely programme, and the availability of benefits for local (host) communities was part of that consultation.
	The Government are currently considering the responses to the consultation and will publish a White Paper that sets out Government policy later this year.
	The consultation document is available on the DEFRA website at:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/radwaste-framework/index.htm

Regional Government

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform whether the offices of the regional assemblies and their partners in Brussels are deemed public authorities for the purposes of the  (a) Freedom of Information Act 2000 and  (b) environmental information regulations.

Parmjit Dhanda: I have been asked to reply.
	The offices in Brussels are facilities used by the regional assemblies and their partners. They are not separate organisations for the purposes of either set of regulations.

Renewable Energy

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what research his Department has  (a) undertaken and  (b) commissioned on methods of overcoming intermittency in production of electricity from renewable energy sources.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government have commissioned a limited amount of research on methods of overcoming intermittency in production of electricity from renewable energy sources. This is because of the wealth of information from respected organisations publicly available in this area.
	The available evidence shows that there are no insurmountable technical barriers to accommodating intermittent generation and that the associated system balancing costs are relatively low at 20 per cent. penetration.
	The Government commissioned a report on Wind Power and the UK resources from the Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford
	http://www.eci.ox.ac.uk/publications/downloads/sinden05-dtiwindreport.pdf
	Other useful reports are:
	An Assessment of the Evidence on the costs and impacts of intermittent generation on the British electricity network, produced by the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC)
	http://www.ukerc.ac.uk/ResearchProgrammes/TechnologyandPolicyAssessment/TPAProjectIntermittency.aspx
	A shift to wind is not unfeasible, which appeared in POWER magazine
	http://www.bwea.com/pdf/PowerUK-March2003-page17-25.pdf
	We will need to review these issues as we develop our Renewable Energy Strategy. In the summer we will launch a full consultation on what more we should do to increase renewable energy use to meet our share of the EU 2020 target.

Vocational Training

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will commission research to assess the effects on skills and apprenticeships in England of apprenticeships and training policies implemented by the devolved administrations.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 6 March 2008
	I have been asked to reply.
	We took account of evidence from other countries in formulating our proposals to expand and improve apprenticeships in England. Ministers need to consider parallel developments from time-to-time.

HEALTH

Abortion

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 28 February 2008,  Official Report, columns 1874-75W, on abortion, what the terms of reference of the review will be; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The terms of reference have not yet been finalised but all three reviews will include consideration of all relevant evidence, including all evidence submitted to the Science and Technology Committee and any new research in the area.

Accident and Emergency Departments

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Eastleigh of 18 May 2007,  Official Report, column 1017W, on hospital wards, which NHS trusts self-reported that they provided type 1 accident and emergency services in the latest period for which figures are available.

Ben Bradshaw: Information on the 154 national health service trusts that self-reported having type 1 accident and emergency (A and E) services at the end of December 2007 has been placed in the Library.
	There are some organisations that have more than one type 1 A  E service. The number of trusts that self-reported having type 1 A and E services does not therefore reflect the total number of A and E departments of which there were 203 (type 1) at the end of December 2007.

Adult Audiology Services

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will hold an independent review of the tendering procedure for adult audiology services.

Ivan Lewis: holding answer 3 March 2008
	Decisions on the procurement of adult audiology services are made at a local level by individual trusts. There are no plans to hold an independent review of the tendering procedure for adult audiology services.

Ambulance Services: East Sussex

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the cost of operating emergency ambulance services in Eastbourne constituency was in each year since 1997;
	(2)  what steps he is taking to improve emergency ambulance services in  (a) Eastbourne constituency and  (b) East Sussex.

Ben Bradshaw: Information on expenditure is not available in the format requested. Information prior to 2000-01 is not available. Information is held by ambulance trust rather than by constituency. The Eastbourne constituency is served by South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust which was formed in 2006. Prior to that, it was served by Sussex Ambulance Service NHS Trust.
	Information for these individual organisations from 2000-01 onwards has been set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Emergency patient transport services expenditure for Sussex Ambulance Service NHS Trust (2000-06) and for South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust (2006-07) 
			  NHS Trust   Emergency patient transport services expenditure (000) 
			 Sussex Ambulance Service 2000-01 20,721 
			 Sussex Ambulance Service 2001-02 21,513 
			 Sussex Ambulance Service 2002-03 23,870 
			 Sussex Ambulance Service 2003-04 25,947 
			 Sussex Ambulance Service 2004-05 30,215 
			 Sussex Ambulance Service 2005-06 39,076 
			 South East Coast Ambulance Service 2006-07 105,289 
			  Source: NHS Trust Financial Returns TFR6 2000-01 to 2006-07. 
		
	
	It is for strategic health authorities, as the local headquarters of the NHS, and primary care trusts (PCTs), as commissioners, to ensure that emergency ambulance services, including national response time standards are delivered and maintained by ambulance trusts. The hon. Member may wish to raise this issue directly with the chief executives of South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust and East Sussex Downs and Weald PCT.

Babies: Tranquillisers

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many and what proportion of babies born with a tranquilliser addiction have a permanent impairment as a consequence of their addiction;
	(2)  how many babies were born with an addiction to tranquillisers in each year from 1999 to 2006;
	(3)  what treatment the NHS provides to babies born with an addiction to tranquillisers.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 3 March 2008
	Information is not collected centrally about the number of patients with a prescription drug addiction, nor is information available either about the number of individuals with a permanent impairment as a consequence of their addiction.

Blood Transfusions

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 14 June 2007,  Official Report, column 1298W, on blood transfusions, what estimate his Department has made of the cost of implementation of prion filtration technology.

Dawn Primarolo: Our current estimate, based on information supplied by manufacturers and NHS blood and transplant, is that the cost per annum of introducing prion filtration for all United Kingdom blood donations is approximately 200,000,000.

Blood Transfusions

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Kettering (Mr. Hollobone), of 14 June 2007,  Official Report, column 1298W, on blood transfusions, when his Department expects to receive the results of the independent evaluation of the efficacy of the prion filter in reducing variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease infectivity in blood; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The results from some evaluations are likely to be available in 2009, others will take several years.

Blood Transfusions

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Kettering (Mr. Hollobone), of 14 June 2007,  Official Report, column 1298W, on blood transfusions, on what evidential basis his Department will reach estimates of the prevalence of preclinical variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease or a carrier state in the donor population, and consequent estimates of infections prevented through filtration and the benefit of life years saved; when it expects to receive such evidence; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The Department currently uses a variant Creutzfeldt Jakob disease (vCJD) sub-clinical prevalence estimate based on one study of tonsil and appendix samples which identified three affected samples out of 12,674 tested. This suggests a prevalence of about 1 in 4,000, though with very wide ranges of uncertainty and a statistical confidence interval of between 1 in 1,400 and 1 in 20,000.
	The Department supports other studies to estimate prevalence and the Health Protection Agency is collecting 100,000 pairs of tonsils for vCJD testing. To date over 45,000 pairs of tonsils have been tested, none of which was positive.
	No estimates have yet been made of the potential for infections to be prevented through the filtration of blood or of the benefit of life years saved.

Blood Transfusions

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 14 June 2007,  Official Report, column 1298W, on blood transfusions, if he will make it his policy that the precautionary principle in relation to blood transfusions take priority in decisions to implement prion filtration technology.

Dawn Primarolo: All decisions on the implementation of risk reduction measures will be based on impact assessments which will consider among other matters, evidence of efficacy, cost-effectiveness and the precautionary principle.

Blood Transfusions: Infectious Diseases

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many legal cases where the plaintiff has been allegedly infected following a blood infusion have been brought against the NHS in each of the last five years for which information is available; in how many of those cases in each year the NHS made a payment in settlement; and how much was paid in settlements in each year.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 3 March 2008
	The following table shows claims against NHS Blood and Transplant for transfusion transmitted infection.
	
		
			  Date of claim  Number of claims( 1)  Number of settlements  Settlement total() 
			 2003 1 1 350,000 
			 2004 0   
			 2005 1 1 (1)25,000 
			 2006 0   
			 2007 3 Pending To be assessed 
			 (1) This is a provisional settlement. Hepatitis C claims are excluded as they are handled by the NHS Litigation Authority 
		
	
	The NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA) has received a number of clinical negligence claims against the National Blood Service where the claimant has contracted an infectious disease from a blood transfusion. Information is provided in the following table, which includes settled and open claims:
	
		
			  NHSLA notification year  Number of claims  Damages paid 
			 2003-04 8 0 
			 2004-05 3 0 
			 2005-06 1 0 
			 2006-07 3 0 
			 2007-08 (to date)(1) 0 0 
			 (1) Figures as at 31 January 2008

Breast Cancer

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many diagnoses of breast cancer there were in each year since 2001.

Angela Eagle: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 11 March 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many diagnoses of breast cancer there have been nationally in each year since 2001.
	The latest available figures for newly diagnosed cases (incidence) of malignant neoplasm of breast are for the year 2005. Figures for 2001-05 for England are given in the table below.
	
		
			  Registrations of newly diagnosed cases of breast cancer( 1)  by sex, England, 2001-05 
			   2001  2002  2003  2004  2005 
			 Male 229 254 289 272 250 
			 Female 35,315 35,149 37,283 36,939 38,212 
			 Total 35,544 35,403 37,572 37,211 38,462 
			 (1 )Breast cancer is coded to C50 in the International Classification of Diseases Tenth Revision (ICD-10)  Source:  Office for National Statistics

Cancer

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for Health who the directors are of each cancer network sponsored by his Department.

Ann Keen: The lead manager of each cancer network is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Cancer network  Lead managers 
			 Lancashire and South Cumbria Kath Nuttall 
			 Greater Manchester and Cheshire Toni Mathie 
			 Merseyside and Cheshire Pat Higgins 
			 Yorkshire Barry Tinkler 
			 Humber and Yorkshire Coast Julie Taylor-Clark, Catherine Arnott 
			 North Trent Kim Fell 
			 Pan Birmingham Karen Metcalf 
			 Arden Richard Hancox 
			 Mid Trent Peter Higgins 
			 Derby/Burton Teresa Shaw 
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Elspeth MacDonald 
			 Mount Vernon David Henson, Carol Hawes 
			 West London Fiona Bonas 
			 North London Chris Ward 
			 North East London Bob Park 
			 South East London Alastair Whitington, Nicola Robb 
			 South West London Charlotte Joll, Jo Champness, Karen Gaunt 
			 Peninsula David Chambers 
			 Dorset Denise Adcock, Lorraine Bailey 
			 Avon, Somerset and Wiltshire Mary Barnes 
			 3 Counties Nicola Strother-Smith, Kathy Gibbons 
			 Thames Valley Emma Richards 
			 Central South Coast Emma Richards 
			 Surrey, West Sussex and Hampshire Ben Thomas 
			 Sussex Deborah Tomalin 
			 Kent and Medway Andrew Jackson 
			 Anglia Audrey Bradford 
			 Greater Midlands Tricia Lowe 
			 Essex Kevin McKenny 
			 North of England Moira Davison

Cancer Reform Strategy

Howard Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to test the model of community based prostate health clinics outlined in the Cancer Reform Strategy.

Ann Keen: The model was recommended by experts during the development of the Cancer Reform Strategy as a potential mechanism for delivering high quality, male friendly advice and support on prostate health issues.
	The Department intends to test this approach as part of wider work on the National Awareness and Early Diagnosis Initiative and the National Cancer Equality Initiative.

Cardiovascular System: Screening

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he expects the Government's forthcoming cardiovascular screening programme, announced by the Prime Minister on 7 January 2008, to have an impact on  (a) existing and  (b) future Better Care, Better Value indicators.

Ann Keen: The Prime Minister announced on 7 January that proposals were under development for a vascular risk assessment programme. A departmental project is currently under way to assess the costs and benefits of an integrated, systematic population-wide vascular risk screening programme. The Department will complete this as soon as possible, but it is too early to predict what impact, if any, this work may have on future Better Care, Better Value indicators.

Chlamydia: Screening

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which primary care trusts met their target for chlamydia screening of  (a) men and  (b) women in (i) 2005, (ii) 2006 and (iii) 2007.

Dawn Primarolo: Chlamydia screening among 15 to 24-year-old men and women is included as a line in the national health service local delivery plans (LDPs), for the first time in 2007-08. Primary care trusts (PCTs) were asked to plan to screen 15 per cent. of the target population in 2007-08. No targets were set before this date.
	It is too early to say which PCTs will meet this target; however, some areas such as Lewisham, Cornwall, Lambeth and Southwark are well on course to reach the target.

Chronically Sick: Cambridgeshire

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in implementing the targets for the National Service Framework for Long-Term Conditions in North West Cambridgeshire.

Ann Keen: It is for individual primary care trusts (PCTs), including Cambridgeshire PCT, within the national health service to develop locally the levels of service described in the National Service Framework for Long-term (Neurological) Conditions (the NSF). The NSF has a 10-year implementation programme from its publication in March 2005, with flexibility for organisations to set the pace of change locally to take account of differences in local priorities and needs. A copy of the NSF is available in the Library.
	Information on the progress that has been achieved locally with regard to the implementation of the targets set out in the NSF can be obtained directly from Cambridgeshire PCT.

Chronically Sick: Chorley

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made towards achieving targets in the National Service Framework for Long-term Conditions in Chorley.

Ann Keen: It is for individual primary care trusts (PCTs), including Central Lancashire PCT, within the national health service to develop locally the levels of service described in the National Service Framework for Long-term (Neurological) Conditions (the NSF). The NSF has a 10-year implementation programme from its publication in March 2005, with flexibility for organisations to set the pace of change locally to take account of differences in local priorities and needs. A copy of the NSF is available in the Library.
	Information on the progress that has been achieved locally with regard to the implementation of the targets set out in the NSF can be obtained direct from Central Lancashire PCT.

Chronically Sick: Eastbourne

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made towards the targets for the National Service Framework for Long-term Conditions in Eastbourne.

Ann Keen: It is for individual primary care trusts (PCTs), including East Sussex Downs and Weald PCT, within the national health service to develop locally the levels of service described in the National Service Framework for Long-term (Neurological) Conditions (the NSF). A copy of this document is available in the Library. The NSF has a 10-year implementation programme from its publication in March 2005, with flexibility for organisations to set the pace of change locally to take account of differences in local priorities and needs.
	Information on the progress that has been achieved locally with regard to the implementation of the targets set out in the NSF can be obtained direct from East Sussex Downs and Weald PCT.

Chronically Sick: Health Services

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of progress against its target of offering a care plan to every patient with a long-term condition by 2010.

Ann Keen: The Department plans to publish a framework describing best practice on personalised and integrated care planning in the spring of 2008. Methods for assessing progress towards the commitment to offer everyone with a long-term condition a care plan by 2010 are being considered as part of implementation of the framework.

Chronically Sick: Norwich

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in implementing the targets for the National Service Framework for Long-term Conditions in Norwich, North.

Ann Keen: It is for individual primary care trusts (PCTs), including Norfolk PCT, within the national health service to develop locally the levels of service described in the National Service Framework for Long-term (Neurological) Conditions (the NSF). The NSF has a 10-year implementation programme from its publication in March 2005, with flexibility for organisations to set the pace of change locally to take account of differences in local priorities and needs.
	Information on the progress that has been achieved locally with regard to the implementation of the targets set out in the NSF can be obtained directly from Norfolk PCT.

Chronically Sick: Peterborough

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in implementing the targets for the National Service Framework for Long-term Conditions in Peterborough.

Ann Keen: It is for individual primary care trusts (PCTs), including Peterborough PCT, within the national health service to develop locally the levels of service described in the National Service Framework for Long-term (Neurological) Conditions (the NSF). The NSF has a 10-year implementation programme from its publication in March 2005, with flexibility for organisations to set the pace of change locally to take account of differences in local priorities and needs. A copy of the framework is available in the Library.
	Information on the progress that has been achieved locally with regard to the implementation of the targets set out in the NSF can be obtained direct from Peterborough PCT.

Clinical Negligence

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 21 February 2008,  Official Report, column 956W, on clinical negligence, how many of the claims were made in each year since 1995; and how much was paid out in each such year.

Ann Keen: The information requested is shown in the following tables.
	
		
			  Number of clinical negligence scheme for trusts (CNST) Oncology, Radiology and Radiotherapy claims by incident year 
			  Incident year  Oncology  Radiology  Radiotherapy  Total 
			 1995-96 31 48 6 85 
			 1996-97 22 50 2 74 
			 1997-98 26 45 5 76 
			 1998-99 39 48 3 90 
			 1999-2000 39 66 5 110 
			 2000-01 52 69 6 127 
			 2001-02 52 90 6 148 
			 2002-03 38 85 5 128 
			 2003-04 45 65 5 115 
			 2004-05 33 73 6 112 
			 2005-06 28 44 1 73 
			 2006-07 8 21 4 33 
			 2007-08 3 5  8 
			 Total 416 709 54 1,179 
		
	
	
		
			  Payments made on CNST claims by year of payment for Oncology, Radiology and Radiotherapy as at 31 December 2007 
			  Year of payment  Oncology  Radiology  Radiotherapy  Total 
			 1997-98 672   672 
			 1998-99 643 167,886  168,529 
			 1999-2000 55,604 480,306  535,910 
			 2000-01 229,780 1,142,547 4,757 1,377,083 
			 2001-02 1,471,607 3,863,968 302,409 5,637,984 
			 2002-03 1,002,127 2,869,281 84,523 3,955,931 
			 2003-04 2,191,940 4,390,858 301,966 6,884,764 
			 2004-05 1,641,217 6,448,955 402,820 8,492,992 
			 2005-06 2,842,012 2,535,430 28,724 5,406,167 
			 2006-07 2,094,691 4,107,367 121,977 6,324,035 
			 2007-08 2,333,723 5,382,266 651,621 8,367,610 
			 Total 13,864,015.77 31,388,863.74 1,898,796.94 47,151,676 
			  Notes: 1. Payments in year do not correlate to the claims made that year. 2. Payments for 2007-08 are for nine months up to 31 December 2007.

Dental Services

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number and percentage of the population of  (a) children and  (b) adults in (i) the East of England and (ii) Suffolk who were seen by an NHS dentist in each of the last five years.

Ann Keen: Under the contractual arrangements that were in place up to and including 31 March 2006, the number of patients registered with a national health service dentist was used as the measure of access to NHS dentistry. In April 2006, this measure was replaced by the number of patients seen by an NHS dentist in a 24-month period. These measures are not directly comparable.
	The number and percentage of the population registered with an NHS dentist in England is available as at 31 March, 1997 to 2006 in Annex A and Annex B of the NHS Dental Activity and Workforce Report, England: 31 March 2006 report. The information is provided by children/adults, and by primary care trust (PCT) and strategic health authority (SHA).
	This report was published by The Information Centre for health and social care on 23 August 2006, and is available in the Library and is also available at:
	www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/primary-care/dentistry/nhs-dental-ctivity-and-workforce-report-england-31-march-2006
	The number and percentage of the population seen by an NHS dentist is available in Tables C1 and C2 of Annex 3 of NHS Dental Statistics for England: Quarter 2, 30 September 2007 report. Information is available for the 24-month periods ending 31 March 2006, 31 March 2007, 30 June 2007, and 30 September 2007.
	The information is provided by children/adults, and by PCT and SHA. This report, published on 28 February 2008 by The Information Centre for health and social care, is available in the Library and is available at:
	www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/primary-care/dentistry/nhs-dental-tatistics-for-england:-quarter-2:-30-september-2007

Dental Services: Greenwich

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists offering NHS services there are in Greenwich; how many there were in 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: The number of national health service dentists, in England, on primary care trust (PCT) lists as at 31 March 1997 to 2006 are available in Annex E of the NHS Dental Activity and Workforce Report England: 31 March 2006. The information is provided by strategic health authority (SHA) and by PCT. This information is based on the old contractual arrangements which were in place up to and including 31 March 2006.
	This report is available in the Library and is available at:
	www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/primary-care/dentistry/nhs-dental-activity-and-workforce-report-england-31-march-2006
	The numbers of NHS dentists on open NHS contracts, in England as at 30 June 2006, 30 September 2006, 31 December 2006, and 31 March 2007, are available in Table El of Annex 3 of the NHS Dental Statistics for England: 2006-07 report. This information is provided by SHA and by PCT. This information is based on the new dental contractual arrangements, introduced on 1 April 2006.
	This report is available in the Library and is also available at:
	www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/dental0607
	The inclusion of dentists on trust led contracts in the data collection following the 2006 reforms means that data collected since April 2006 cannot be directly compared with data collected under the previous system.
	The numbers of dentists quoted are headcounts and do not differentiate between full-time and part-time dentists, nor do they account for the fact that some dentists may do more NHS work than others.
	The methodology for reporting dental workforce information since the introduction of the new contract on 1 April 2006 is currently under review. The review is to ensure that the figures provide an appropriate measure of the workforce. The data provided will therefore remain the latest available until this review is complete.
	Both reports have been published by The Information Centre for health and social care.
	Increasing the number of patients seen within NHS dental services is now a formal priority in the NHS Operating Framework for 2008-09 and we have supported this with a very substantial 11 per cent. uplift in overall allocations to PCTs from 1 April 2008.

Dental Services: Greenwich

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are awaiting registration with an NHS dentist in Greenwich; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: The number of people awaiting registration with a national health service dentist is not collected centrally.
	Under the new dental contractual arrangements, introduced on 1 April 2006, patients do not have to register with an NHS dentist to receive NHS dental care.

Dental Services: Torbay

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) adults and  (b) children in Torbay constituency were registered with NHS dentists in each year since 1997.

Ann Keen: The numbers of adults and children registered with a national health service dentist, in England, as at 31 March 1997 to 2006 are available in Annex C of the NHS Dental Activity and Workforce Report, England: 31 March 2006. The information is provided by constituency.
	This information is based on the old contractual arrangements which were in place up to and including 31 March 2006. This report was published on 23 August 2006 and is available in the Library and is also available at:
	www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/primary-care/dentistry/nhs-dental-activity-and-workforce-report-england-31-march-2006
	Under the new contractual arrangements, introduced on 1 April 2006, patients do not have to be registered with an NHS dentist to receive NHS care. The closest equivalent measure to registration is the number of patients receiving NHS dental services (patients seen) over a 24-month period. However, this is not directly comparable to the registration data for earlier years.
	The numbers of adults and children seen by an NHS dentist in England are available in Table Cl of Annex 3 of NHS Dental Statistics for England: Quarter 2, 30 September 2007 report. Information is available for the 24-month periods ending 31 March 2006, 31 March 2007, 30 June 2007, and 30 September 2007. The information is provided by primary care trust and by strategic health authority. Information by constituency under the new contractual arrangements is not available.
	This report, published on 28 February 2008, is available in the Library and is available at:
	www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/primary-care/dentistry/nhs-dental-statistics-for-england:-quarter-2:-30-september-2007
	Both reports have been published by The Information Centre for health and social care.

Dental Services: Waiting Lists

Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the waiting times were for orthodontic treatment in the last period for which figures are available, broken down by primary care trust area.

Ann Keen: Data are not centrally collected on waiting times for orthodontic treatment provided in primary care.
	Information is available on average hospital waiting times from referral to first out-patient appointment broken down by specialty up to and including the period ending September 2007-08. For information for the period ending September 2007-08, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire (Mr. Vara) on 11 December 2007,  Official Report, column 510W.

Departmental Cost Effectiveness

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress his Department has made in its zero-based budget review under the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Ben Bradshaw: As part of the preparations for the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 (CSR 2007), the Department undertook a zero based review of expenditure to identify value for money opportunities for 2008-09 to 2010-11. The CSR 2007 announced a commitment for the Department to deliver 8.2 billion value for money savings by 2010-11I refer the hon. Member to the Annex pertaining to the Department in Meeting the aspirations of the British people: the 2007 Pre-Budget Report and Comprehensive Spending Review (Cm 7227). The Department's plans to deliver these value for money opportunities were set out in the Department's Value for Money Delivery Agreement, published in December 2007, and available from the Department's website at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_081547

Ear Nose and Throat: Surgery

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people had NHS tracheostomy operations in  (a) 2006-07,  (b) 2005-06 and  (c) 2004-05.

Ben Bradshaw: The information is not available in precisely the format requested. However, the following table shows the number of finished consultant episodes (FCEs) relating to tracheostomies at national health service and private hospitals in England over the past three years.
	
		
			   Year (of end of period of admitted patient care under one consultant) 
			   2006-07  2005-06  2004-05 
			 Creation of tracheostomy(1) 10,800 10,418 9,884 
			 Modification, closure, other types of tracheostomy operation(2) 4,615 4,431 3,992 
			  Notes:  1. FCE: A FCE is defined as a period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. The figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the year.  2. Number of operations-count of episodes: These figures represent a count of all FCEs where the procedure was mentioned in any of the 12 (four prior to 2002-03) procedure fields in a HES record. A record is only included once in each count, even if a procedure is mentioned in more than one procedure field of the record.  3. Tracheostomy operations: HES uses the following codes to determine between what is known as the creation and a modification tracheostomy operation. (1)Creation of tracheostomy: E42.1 Permanent tracheostomy E42.2 Cricothyroidostomy E42.3 Temporary tracheostomy. (2)Modification, closure, or other types of operation on a tracheostomy: E42.4 Revision of tracheostomy E42.5 Closure of tracheostomy E42.6 Replacement of tracheostomy tube E42.7 Removal of tracheostomy tube E42.8 Other specified exteriorisation of trachea E42.9 Unspecified exteriorisation of trachea.  4. Data quality: HES are compiled from data sent by over 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts in England. The Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain.  5. Ungrossed data: Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed).  Source:  Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The Information Centre for health and social care.

Environmental Health: Catering

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of restaurants and other establishments serving food to the public were inspected by environmental health officers in each of the last five years.

Dawn Primarolo: Percentages of restaurants and other caterers which were subject to official control visits for food hygiene purposes are shown as follows.
	Official control visits include full inspections, partial inspections, and examination of food safety management systems introduced by the food establishment. The frequency of planned official control visits depends on a range of factors including the risk rating of the food establishment for hygiene purposes, and ranges from six months to three years. As a result, not every establishment is due to be visited in any one year.
	
		
			   2001  2002  2003  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 
			 Number of restaurants and other caterers 369,841 n/a 370,760 384,748 377,362 386,247 
			 Number of such establishments subject to official controls 263,587 n/a 264,845 237,337 243,264 244,901 
			 Percentage 71 n/a 71 62 64 63 
			 n/a = Data not available

Food: Industrial Health and Safety

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what mechanisms are in place to protect workers in the food industry from the effects of the food flavouring chemical diacetyl; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what research he has  (a) commissioned and  (b) evaluated on the effects of the food flavouring chemical diacetyl on workers in the food manufacturing industry; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: I have been asked to reply.
	The Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 applies. In particular, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 (as amended) require duty holders to prevent, or if this is not reasonably practicable, to adequately control exposure to hazardous substances such as diacetyl.
	No research has been commissioned by the Government or the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). However, the Health and Safety Executive accepted the evidence from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in the United States of America as the basis for alerting the food industry to the potential inhalation risks to workers from diacetyl in 2004.

Food: Labelling

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what research he has  (a) commissioned and  (b) evaluated on the effects of a food labelling system based on (i) recommended daily amounts of nutrients and (ii) a multiple traffic lights system;
	(2)  when his Department last undertook a review of the evidence relating to the effect of a food labelling system based on  (a) recommended daily amounts of nutrients and  (b) a multiple traffic lights system that drew on (i) UK and (ii) international research; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The Food Standards Agency has commissioned an independent evaluation of front of pack signpost labelling which takes account of existing United Kingdom and international published research on this area.
	I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave the hon. Member for Tewkesbury (Mr. Robertson) on 17 December 2007,  Official Report, column 1208W and my hon. Friend the Member for Warrington, South (Helen Southworth) on 18 December 2007,  Official  Report, column 1406W.

General Practitioners

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of GP consultations  (a) in total and  (b) on average per GP in each year since 1997.

Ben Bradshaw: The information requested is set out in the following table:
	
		
			   Estimated number of general practitioner consultations  Consultation rates per GP 
			 1997 164,100,000 2.97 
			 1998 162,100,000 2.90 
			 1999 156,000,000 2.91 
			 2000 156,300,000 2.92 
			 2001 162,200,000 3.02 
			 2002 161,900,000 3.05 
			 2003 170,800,000 3.08 
			 2004 171,200,000 3.18 
			 2005 176,900,000 3.22 
			 2006 181,600,000 3.25 
			 Source: The Information Centre for health and social care/Q reserves: Trends in Consultations Rates in General Practice 1995-2006: Analysis of the QREC Database. 
		
	
	These data are also published at the following website:
	www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/primary-care/general-practice/trends-in-consultation-rates-in-general-practice-1995--2006

General Practitioners: Contracts

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will breakdown by primary care trust the cost to his Department of delivery of the new GP contract.

Ben Bradshaw: It is not possible to directly compare total expenditure by individual PCTs on the new general practitioner contract arrangements across each of the financial years since the introduction of the new contract arrangements. In 2002-03, the year before increased investment to support the new GP contract started, spend on primary medical care services was reported on a strategic health authority basis for the first six months and then on a PCT basis for the last six months.
	The first year for which we have comparable data to 2006-07 expenditure is 2004-05; however, this is the second year of increased investment in delivering the new GP contract and therefore does not provide the appropriate baseline year to measure expenditure by each PCT on the delivery of the new contract arrangements.
	Additionally, in 2004-05 expenditure is reported by the then 303 PCTs that existed. From 1 April 2006 all expenditure relates to the reconfigured 152 PCTs.

General Practitioners: Travel

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make an assessment of the likely environmental effect of the change in the frequency of personal travel and car usage in rural areas resulting from the closure of GP surgeries on weekends.

Ben Bradshaw: Due to the variation across rural and urban areas, assessment of the environmental impact of this measure would be best conducted at local level.

Genetically Modified Organisms: Labelling

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 28 February 2008,  Official Report, column 1889W, on genetically modified organisms (GMOs): labelling, what mechanisms are in place to ensure that food imported into the UK which is not labelled as having been produced from authorised GMOs is not from animals which may have had genetically modified materials in their feed.

Dawn Primarolo: The labelling requirements for genetically modified (GM) food are set out in the directly applicable Regulations (EC) Nos. 1829/2003 (GM Food and Feed) and 1830/2003 (Traceability and Labelling of GM Organisms). There is no requirement for food produced from animals fed on GM feed to be labelled as such, whether produced in the European Union or imported from a third country.

Health Professions: Age

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average age of  (a) general practitioners,  (b) consultants,  (c) nurses and  (d) midwives was in the most recent period for which figures are available; and how many from each group he expects to retire in the next 10 years.

Ann Keen: The following table shows the average age of general practitioners (GPs), consultants, nurses and midwives.
	
		
			   Average age 
			 GPs (excluding retainers and registrars)(1) 46 
			 Medical and dental consultants 47 
			 Qualified nursing staff (excluding midwives) 44 
			 Qualified midwives 42 
			 (1) General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars) includes GP providers and GP others.   Source:  The Information Centre for health and social care Medical and Dental Workforce Census. The Information Centre for health and social care General and Personal Medical Services Statistics. The Information Centre for health and social care Non-Medical Workforce census. 
		
	
	Under age discrimination legislation there is a default retirement age of 65, but many national health service organisations do not set a retirement age. Most NHS staff including GPs and consultants have a normal pension age of 60 but the average age at which this group take their pension on age grounds is nearly 63. Nurses and midwives who were members of the NHS pension scheme before 1995 have a normal pension age of 55 but an average retirement age on age grounds of 59.

Health Services

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health in which areas personal medical services plus pilots are situated; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: This information is not available centrally. It is for primary care trusts to commission primary care services that best meet the needs of their local population. Personal medical services plus pilots where developed not only to offer the full range of general practice services but also offer the opportunity of piloting the extended role of the general practitioner and deliver more traditional secondary care services in a community setting bringing services closer to patients. This could cover anything from extended minor surgery provision to extra skills such as endoscopy, ophthalmology and dermatology. Piloting ended in 2004 and these are now permanent arrangements that primary care trusts can enter into.

Health Services: Overseas Visitors

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the consultation on proposals arising from the review of access to the national health service by foreign nationals will begin.

Dawn Primarolo: A review of access to the national health service by foreign nationals is currently under way and is expected to be completed shortly. It will then be submitted to Home Office and Department of Health Ministers. Recommendations to make any changes to existing arrangements will then be subject to public consultation.

Hospitals: Cleaning Services

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding has been allocated to  (a) Southend Hospital and  (b) South Essex Primary Care Trust for deep cleaning.

Ann Keen: All trusts were required to submit and agree their deep clean plans with primary care trusts in their area by 14 December 2007 and this process has been monitored and assessed by strategic health authorities (SHAs). As set out in the written ministerial statement given by the Secretary of State on 17 January 2008,  Official Report, columns 38-39WS, further information on the implementation of the deep clean of the national health service is available from SHAs. All deep cleans will be complete by the end of March 2008.

Macular Degeneration: Drugs

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the findings are of the most recent National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence assessment of the drug Lucentis in the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration.

Dawn Primarolo: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently appraising ranibizumab (Lucentis) for wet age-related macular degeneration. NICE issued draft guidance for consultation in December 2007. A copy of this consultation draft is available on the NICE website at:
	www.nice.org.uk/guidance/index.jsp?action=byIDo=11700
	NICE is currently considering the responses to that consultation and expects to publish final guidance later in 2008.

Maternity Services

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many midwife-led post-natal units there were in each of the last five years in  (a) England and  (b) each region.

Ann Keen: This information is not collected centrally.

Mental Health: Prescription Drugs

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on prescribed select serotonin re-uptake inhibitors in each of the last 20 years.

Dawn Primarolo: The information requested is shown in the following tables.
	
		
			   Estimated prescription items dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors in England  Net ingredient cost (000) 
			 1987 40.0 898.8 
			 1988 40.0 1,091.7 
			 1989 106.2 3,410.2 
			 1990 239.3 7,576.1 
		
	
	
		
			   Prescription items dispensed in the community in England (thousands)  Net ingredient cost (000) 
			 1991 510.3 17,687.1 
			 1992 1,178.1 43,329.0 
			 1993 1,884.6 59,538.4 
			 1994 2,681.2 76,686.0 
			 1995 3,807.8 103,581.8 
			 1996 5,136.0 142,250.0 
			 1997 6,555.8 182,966.0 
			 1998 7,581.6 211,277.5 
			 1999 8,929.4 232,047.3 
			 2000 10,442.5 213,323.6 
			 2001 12,085.1 228,636.8 
			 2002 13,304.0 244,515.9 
			 2003 13,816.9 236,987.7 
			 2004 14,312.0 224,650.8 
			 2005 14,746.1 170,522.7 
			 2006 16,227.1 119,663.0 
			  Source:  Prescription Cost Analysis system

Methadone

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost of prescribing methadone was in each of the last three years, broken down by primary care trust.

Dawn Primarolo: Information on the net ingredient cost of prescribing methadone for the calendar years 2004 to 2006, broken down by primary care trust, has been placed in the Library.

NHS

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what factors underlay his decision to announce in his oral statement of 4 July 2007,  Official Report, column 962, on NHS next step review, that there will be no further centrally-dictated, top-down restructuring to primary care trusts and strategic health authorities for the foreseeable future;
	(2)  with reference to his statement of 4 July 2007,  Official Report, column 962, on NHS next step review, what assessment he has made of the implementation of the review.

Ann Keen: The decision to make this announcement was based squarely on the view that configuration of services are a matter for the local national health service and there need be no such central restructuring for the foreseeable future. This remains the Government's policy.

NHS: Crimes of Violence

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what appeal procedures are available to patients who have been placed on the violent patients register; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: holding answer 10 March 2008
	There is no legislative procedure relating to the maintenance, or otherwise, of a violent patient register. Therefore, as there is no mandatory register there can be no specific legal right of appeal.
	However, primary medical care contractors can immediately remove patients from their list on the grounds of violence if the patient has committed an act of violence or behaved in such a way that made someone fear for their safety, and the incident has been reported to the police. Where a patient is removed from a primary medical service contractor patient list, on these grounds, the contractor is required to note in the patient's medical records that they have been removed and the circumstances leading to their removal. A patient removed from the list of a primary medical services contractor has no right of appeal. Each primary care trust is required to have a scheme in place to ensure that where patients are removed from a practice's registered list for violent behaviour that such patients can still access a general practitioner so they can receive the care they need.

Nursing and Midwifery Council: Grievance Procedures

Jim Devine: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how much has been spent by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) on dealing with internal grievances since 2005; when reporting of such spending to the NMC has occurred; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how much the Nursing and Midwifery Council has spent on  (a) legal fees,  (b) investigators' fees and  (c) arrangements for meetings relating to complaints about the conduct of members of the council; and what estimate he has made of further such expenditure in relation to investigations which are under way;
	(3)  how many times the Nursing and Midwifery Council members have been required to sign confidentiality agreements since 1 December 2006; how many members signed each; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  how many Nursing and Midwifery Council members are the subject of formal complaints; in how many of those cases efforts were made to resolve the complaints informally; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government do not hold this information centrally. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is an independent regulatory body and as such is responsible for its own internal management practices.
	The hon. Member can contact the chief executive of the NMC, at the following address:
	Sarah Thewlis
	Chief Executive
	Nursing and Midwifery Council
	23 Portland Place
	London W1B 1PZ.

Nutrition: Children

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government plans to take to make the diets of children aged between one and four years old healthier.

Dawn Primarolo: The Government recently published a cross-Government strategy on obesity Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives and supporting healthy growth and development of children is one of the key elements of this strategy. A copy of the strategy is available in the Library. A 75 million, three-year marketing programme has been announced in this strategy, which will inform, support and empower parents in making changes to their children's diet and levels of physical activity. The programme will particularly focus on the early years including: maternal nutrition, encouraging breastfeeding and supporting healthy weaning and healthy diets in young children.
	In addition, through the Healthy Start Scheme, the Department provides advice on healthy eating and vouchers to low-income families with children under the age of four years, that can be exchanged for milk, fresh fruit, vegetables or infant formula. A range of key publications are also made available to mothers which includes advice on healthy eating, breastfeeding, weaning and Feeding your Toddler.

Patient Choice Schemes

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent estimate he has made of the proportion of general practitioners using the choose and book service in  (a) Torbay constituency and  (b) England.

Ben Bradshaw: The proportion of general practitioner (GP) practices using the choose and book system during January 2008 is  (a) 95 per cent. in Torbay care trust and  (b) 89 per cent. in England. Information on the use of choose and book by individual GP is not collected centrally.

Patients: Nutrition

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the additional number of days on average an in-patient must stay in hospital if they are undernourished.

Ann Keen: This information is not collected centrally.

Patients: Waiting Lists

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the average waiting time in days for  (a) in-patient and  (b) out-patient appointments in each year since 1994-95; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The following tables show the in-patient and out-patient mean and median waiting times in days since 1994-95.
	 In-patient mean and medians in days from 1994-95
	The figures show that the in-patient median waiting time has fallen from 88 days in March 1995 to 33 days in January 2008, with a peak of 104 days in March 1998. The mean has shown a similar pattern and has fallen from 125 days to 42 days.
	
		
			  In-patient  average  waiting times 
			  Days 
			  Month ending  Median  Mean 
			 March 1995 88 125 
			 March 1996 83 111 
			 March 1997 92 127 
			 March 1998 104 140 
			 March 1999 90 130 
			 March 2000 90 131 
			 March 2001 88 127 
			 March 2002 89 122 
			 March 2003 83 109 
			 March 2004 71 87 
			 March 2005 60 74 
			 March 2006 51 61 
			 March 2007 43 52 
			 January 2008 33 42 
			 Note: Figures are commissioner based and relate to numbers waiting as at 31 March (or at 31 January for the current figures). Source: QF01 and monthly monitoring returns. 
		
	
	 Out-patient mean and medians in days from 1994-95
	The figures show that the out-patient median waiting time has fallen from 41 days in March 1995 to 38 days in March 2007, with a peak of 52 days in March 2000. The mean has increased slightly from 64 days to 66 days, but has fallen from a peak of 78 days in March 2000. During this time, the maximum waiting time standard has fallen from 26 weeks to the current standard of 13 weeks.
	
		
			  Out-patient  average  waiting times 
			  Days 
			  Year ending  Median  Mean 
			 March 1995 41 64 
			 March 1996 43 61 
			 March 1997 43 60 
			 March 1998 45 64 
			 March 1999 48 70 
			 March 2000 52 78 
			 March 2001 52 76 
			 March 2002 51 73 
			 March 2003 50 61 
			 March 2004 49 55 
			 March 2005 49 53 
			 March 2006 46 48 
			 March 2007 38 66 
			  Source: QM08R return. 
		
	
	Figures are commissioner based except for periods prior to March 1998, which are provider based.

Prostate Cancer

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which of his Department's initiatives have a reduction in mortality rates from prostate cancer as a primary aim; what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of each such initiative; what the effect of such initiatives has been on prostate cancer mortality rates to date; what further effect on mortality rates he expects in the next five years; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: All Government policy on cancer aims to improve outcomes, reduce mortality, improve patient experience and reduce inequalities. We are on track to meet our public service agreement target to substantially reduce mortality rates by 2010 from cancer, by at least 20 per cent. in people under 75.
	Regarding prostate cancer, the national health service prostate cancer programme was published in 2000 with a commitment to improve the early detection of prostate cancer; improve treatment and care for patients with prostate cancer; and to enhance research into prostate cancer in the United Kingdom. Specific initiatives have included the Prostate Cancer Risk Management Programme, reducing waiting times, raising public awareness, improving treatment, and improving information for prostate cancer patients. It is too early to evaluate the effects of these initiatives on prostate cancer mortality.
	However, we recognise that there is more to do. That is why we published the Cancer Reform Strategy in December 2007 to show how we will deliver cancer outcomes which are among the best in the world.

Prostate Cancer

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer of 23 March 2007 to the hon. Member for Tyne Bridge (Mr. Clelland),  Official Report, column 1202W, on prostate cancer, what decision-making aids were piloted by the Action on Urology programme between 2004 and 2005; in which areas the decision-making aids were piloted; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: Decision-making aids for patients newly diagnosed with prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (enlarged prostate) were piloted in the first phase of the Action on Urology informed decision making project between 2004 and 2005. They included videos/DVDs for patients newly diagnosed with prostate cancer and BPH, booklets to accompany the videos/DVDs and decision quality assessment forms. In addition, specialist nurses were trained in shared decision-making. The first phase of the project piloted the use of these decision aids in four sites in England: Ipswich Hospital, Stockport Royal Infirmary, Colchester General Hospital and East Berkshire NHS Trust.
	The project is currently in its second phase, developing the decision aids suitable for United Kingdom practices, which will eventually be web-based. In addition to the materials mentioned, they include personal decision forms and staff training materials. These materials are in development with the assistance of a further six pilot sites: Royal Marsden and Epsom General, The West Anglia Cancer Network (West Suffolk and Addenbrookes), Bradford, Plymouth, University College Hospital and Cardiff Hospital.
	The roll-out of the programme is to be undertaken via the established cancer networks.

Prostate Cancer

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many participants have been recruited to the ProtecT study on prostate cancer; what funding has been committed by his Department to the ProtecT study; what the outcomes of the study have been to date; when the study is expected to conclude; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The ProtecT trial is a National Institute for Health Research health technology assessment programme (HTA) project. To date, some 2,150 patients have been recruited to it. The Department has allocated 34.2 million to the trial, of which 18 million has been spent.
	The project team have published over 20 articles in peer-reviewed journals and have made 32 conference presentations. The team continues to submit further outputs for publication.
	Recruitment to the trial will end in May 2008 and the contracted research will end in 2014. A draft final report is due in 2014 with subsequent publication of a refereed report in the HTA journal series.
	Further information about the project and its outputs can be found on the HTA website at:
	www.ncchta.org/project/1230.asp

Prostate Cancer

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will conduct an audit of the quality of life of prostate cancer patients following treatment.

Ann Keen: The Cancer Reform Strategy, published in December 2007, noted that as we place a new emphasis on the quality of experience reported by people with cancer, including prostate cancer, it will be important that we are able to measure progress, tracking improvements in the qualitative as well as quantitative aspects of cancer care. That is why the strategy stated that a new national health service cancer patient experience survey programme will be established and surveys conducted annually. To take this forward an expert group, including patients, will be convened to design the technical specifications. A national contract will then be let for the collection, management and analysis of cancer patient experience surveys. The development of the programme is in the early stages, and announcements will be made in due course.
	In addition, the strategy noted that detailed consideration needs to be given to the services needed by survivors of cancer. The National Cancer Director will lead a new National Cancer Survivorship Initiative to take this forward in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support and other cancer charities. The initiative will consider a range of approaches to survivorship care and how these can best be tailored to meet individual patients' needs.

Prostate Cancer: Health Education

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department spent on awareness of prostate cancer in  (a) Lancashire and  (b) England in each of the last five years.

Ann Keen: Information on local expenditure on cancer awareness is not collected centrally.
	Nationally, a pilot public awareness programme on the prostate, set in a primary care trust population, was completed in autumn 2006. Its impact on the local population and the effect it has had on local national health service services has been evaluated. A report based on the results of the pilot and the evaluation, including clear next steps, will be discussed shortly by the Prostate Cancer Advisory Group. The pilot was jointly funded by the Department and signatories to the Prostate Cancer Charter for Action. The Department provided 100,000 towards the pilot.
	The Department has provided funding through the section 64 scheme for the following organisations to increase public awareness of prostate cancer:
	in 2004 the Department provided 30,000 to the Men's Health Forum to help fund their publication, the Men and Cancer Manual;
	the Department provided 135,000 to the Prostate Cancer Charity to increase available information about prostate cancer; and
	the Department is providing 105,000 to the Prostate Cancer Charity to improve awareness of the risks and symptoms of prostate cancer in African and Afro-Caribbean men in Britain.
	In addition, the Cancer Reform Strategy set out that we will establish a new National Awareness and Early Diagnosis Initiative. Led by the National Cancer Director, this initiative will bring together the NHS, representatives of local authorities, the Department, the National Cancer Research Institute and the research community, cancer charities and patients to co-ordinate a programme of activity to support local interventions to increase cancer symptom awareness and encourage earlier presentation.

Prostate Cancer: Health Services

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department has assessed randomised control trials on prostate cancer comparing active monitoring with radical treatment  (a) inside and  (b) outside the UK.

Ann Keen: The Department, through the National Institute for Health Research health technology assessment programme, is funding a major studythe ProtecT trialthat aims to evaluate the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and acceptability of treatments for men with localised prostate cancer. The study began in 2001 and is comparing three treatments (active monitoring, radical prostatectomy and radical radiotherapy).
	The Department's Prostate Cancer Advisory Group will keep under review outputs from the trial, and any relevant evidence from similar, high quality studies undertaken elsewhere in the world.

Prostate Cancer: Lancashire

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on treating prostate cancer in hospitals in Lancashire in each of the last five years.

Ann Keen: It is for individual primary care trusts to decide the level of funding they allocate locally for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients within their local population. Information on this funding is not collected centrally.
	Nationally, data on national health service expenditure on cancer are not collected by cancer type. In 2006-07, 4.35 billion was spent by the NHS on cancer services, approximately 5.2 per cent. of all NHS spending for that year.

Prostate Cancer: Research

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the Government spent on prostate cancer research in each financial year since 1997-98; and how much of such expenditure was drawn from  (a) his Department's and  (b) the Medical Research Council's budget in each such year.

Dawn Primarolo: The information available is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Expenditure on prostate cancer research 
			   million 
			   Department  Medical Research Council( 1, 2) 
			 1997-98 n/a 0.8 
			 1998-99 n/a 1.0 
			 1999-2000 0.4 1.1 
			 2000-01 1.8 3.1 
			 2001-02 2.4 1.9 
			 2002-03 3.3 3.0 
			 2003-04 4.6 3.6 
			 2004-05 4.6 4.3 
			 2005-06 (1)4.9 6.2 
			 2006-07 (1)4.6 5.1 
			 (1 )These figures include total expenditure on some large studies of which only a proportion relates directly to prostate cancer. (2 )Expenditure on fellowships is not available for 1997-98 and 1998-99.  Note: Includes some estimated spend figures. 
		
	
	The Department is additionally making a contribution of 6.4 million over eight years to meet the cost of the National Cancer Research Institute's centres of research excellence in prostate cancer (the Prostate Cancer Collaboratives).
	The departmental figures relate to national research programmes. They do not include expenditure on prostate cancer research from the research and development allocations made over the period concerned to national health service organisations. That information is not held centrally.

Prostate Cancer: Screening

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will encourage the provision of information on the effects of prostate specific antigen testing to men who request such a test.

Ann Keen: The Prostate Cancer Risk Management programme (PCRMP) was introduced in 2002 to help general practitioners and practice nurses in advising men without symptoms of prostate cancer on the implications of having a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test. This empowers men to make an informed choice on whether or not to have a test based on their own lifestyles and values. An evaluation of the PCRMP was funded by the Department to help inform the future direction of the programme and the PCRMP information pack is currently being reviewed. A consultation will be published in the spring, with the intention of launching the revised PCRMP packs in the summer of 2008. Full consideration will be given to ensuring primary care teams are aware of the revised PCRMP.

Smoking: Finance

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding was allocated to smoking cessation services in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Dawn Primarolo: The following table shows funding allocated to the national health service stop smoking services from 2003-04 to 2007-08.
	
		
			  Financial allocations to the national health service for stop smoking services 
			  Financial year   million 
			 2003-04 41 
			 2004-05 46 
			 2005-06 51 
			 2006-07 56 
			 2007-08 56

Smoking: Public Houses

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the financial impact of the ban on smoking in public places on public houses in England.

Dawn Primarolo: An assessment of the costs and benefits of smokefree legislation is set out in the final regulatory impact assessment (RIA) that was published by the Department in December 2006.
	A copy of the RIA is in the Library.

Testicular Cancer

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department's strategy is for raising the profile of testicular cancer; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: The awareness of the early signs and symptoms of testicular cancer should be encouraged. Men should be aware of any unusual changes and consult doctors early in order to ensure the maximum chance of a cure. That is why we have collaborated with Cancer Research UK in the production of a testicular self-awareness leaflet, Testicular Cancer: Spot The Symptoms Early which is available at:
	http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/images/publicationspdfs/leaflet_testicular.pdf
	In addition, the Cancer Reform Strategy set out that we will establish a new National Awareness and Early Diagnosis Initiative. Led by the National Cancer Director, this initiative will bring together the national health service, representatives of local authorities, the Department, the National Cancer Research Institute and the research community, cancer charities and patients to coordinate a programme of activity to support local interventions to increase cancer symptom awareness and encourage earlier presentation.

Urological Cancer

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what dates his Department has conducted risk assessments of strategic health authorities' implementation action plans on the Improving Outcomes for Urological Cancers; what the outcome was of the most recent risk assessment undertaken in respect of each strategic health authority; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr. Lansley) on 26 February 2008,  Official Report, columns 1454-55W.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Africa: Foreign Exchange

Lee Scott: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what currency transactions over the value of 25,000 were made by his Department where pounds sterling were changed into local currency in  (a) (i) Uganda, (ii) Ghana and (iii) Mozambique between 1 January and 30 June 2007 and  (b) Ethiopia between 1 July and 31 December 2006.

Gillian Merron: Between 1 January and 30 June 2007 the following transactions above the value of 25,000 were made for Uganda, Ghana and Mozambique. Funds were received in the respective countries from the Department's headquarters in the UK and converted to local currency in-country. Transactions are made as and when local currency is needed for local expenditure. DFID does not pay commission on any of these transactions.
	The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia makes no charge for overseas deposits into their sterling account, but levies a service charge of 0.0025 per cent. for converting sterling to Ethiopian birr and transferring to their local currency account.
	
		
			  Uganda 
			   Equivalent in   Exchange rate ( to shs.)  Uganda shilling equivalent  Commission 
			 10 January 2007 154,507 3,475.57 537,000,000 0 
			 19 February 2007 152,628 3,420.08 522,000,000 0 
			 26 March 2007 101,760 3,400.16 346,000,000 0 
			 4 April 2007 74,578 3,469.52 258,750,000 0 
			 23 April 2007 149,604 3,419.03 511,500,000 0 
			 25 May 2007 50,911 3,260.59 166,000,000 0 
			 30 May 2007 101,822 3,274.34 333,400,000 0 
			 11 June 2007 53,767 3,081.82 165,700,000 0 
			 14 June 2007 151,255 3,262.70 493,500,000 0 
			  Source: Barclays Bank Uganda Ltd. 
		
	
	
		
			  Ghana 
			   Sterling value ()  Exchange rate ( to cedi)  New Ghana cedis equivalent  Commission 
			 16 January 2007 50,000 1.8060 90,300.00 0 
			 16 February 2007 50,000 1.8000 90,000.00 0 
			 5 March 2007 80,000 1.7800 142,400.00 0 
			 17 April 2007 50,000 1.8310 91,550.00 0 
			 16 May 2007 60,000 1.8315 109,890.00 0 
			 18 June 2007 60,000 1.8260 109,560.00 0 
			  Source: Standard Chartered Bank 
		
	
	
		
			  Mozambique 
			   Equivalent in   US dollars ($) transformed to meticais  Exchange rate ($ to meticais)  Meticais equivalent  Commission 
			 17 January 2007 25,497.87 $50,000 1$ = 26 Mt 1,300,000 0 
			 26 February 2007 25,380.07 $70,000 1$ = 26.2 Mt 1,834,000 0 
			 9 March 2007 25,541.05 $50,000 1$ = 26.3 Mt 1,315,000 0 
			 30 March 2007 56,261.29 $110,000 1$ = 26.2 Mt 2,898,500 0 
			 2 May 2007 60,777.41 $120,000 1$ = 26.2 Mt 3,153,000 0 
			 22 May 2007 30,466.12 $60,000 1$ = 25.75 1,566,000 0 
			 18 June 2007 30,351.33 $60,000 $25.75 1,545,000 0 
			  Source: Standard Bank in Maputo 
		
	
	 Ethiopia
	Between 1 July and 31 December 2006 three transactions above the value of 25,000 were made in the DFID Ethiopia office. Funds were received from the Department's headquarters in the UK and converted to local currency in-country.
	
		
			   Pound sterling () transformed to birr  Equivalent in   Exchange Rate ( to birr)  Commission 
			 1 August 2006 1,137,852.65 70,175.44 16.2144 175.44 
			 15 August 2006 3.296,761.85 200,501.00 16.4426 501.00 
			 4 October 2006 4,108,997.55 250,626.57 16.3949 626.57 
			  Source: Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (International Banking Division)

Chad: Asylum

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the Government has taken to assist the Cameroon Government with providing food and shelter for refugees from Chad.

Gillian Merron: The UK Government are assisting the Cameroon Government's response through a contribution to the United Nations (UN). The UN has recently released $4.72 million for the delivery of emergency relief to the refugees. This has come from the UN's Central Emergency Relief Fund (CERF), to which the UK is the largest donor. The UK's share of the contribution in this response is approximately 20 per cent., giving a UK contribution of 462,000.
	The contribution helped support the World Food Programme (WFP) with the provision of high energy biscuits (HEB) in the first few days of the crisis, and with the ongoing provision of cereals, pulses and vegetable oil to the refugees still remaining in northern Cameroon. These number approximately 15,000.
	The contribution is also being used by the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) to address the immediate nutritional needs of refugee children suffering from acute malnutrition.
	The UK contribution is also being used by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for the provision of shelter for refugees, both at the immediate crossing point from Chad, and at a more secure and appropriate site to which the refugees are being transferred, some 30 km away from the border.

Children: Malnutrition

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent steps the Government has taken to assist developing countries to end child malnutrition.

Gillian Merron: The UK Government are working to address the underlying causes of chronic malnutrition by supporting essential public services, such as the provision of health, water, sanitation and education. The Department for International Development has spent 400 million over the last three years to increase poor people's access to food through improving rural transport, improvements in crop and livestock production, strengthening markets, and investing in agricultural research and development. The UK is working with international partners like the United Nations Children's Fund to address child malnutrition.

Departmental Advertising

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which of his Department's programmes were advertised to the public in each of the last 10 years; and what the cost of each advertising campaign was.

Gillian Merron: There has been no advertising of Department for International Development individual programmes to the public.

Departmental Recruitment

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether the policy of British jobs for British workers will affect his Department's recruitment policy.

Gillian Merron: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 3 March 2008,  Official Report, columns 2206-07W, by the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Watson).

Developing Countries: Food

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which countries in receipt of UK development assistance import more than  (a) 25 per cent. and  (b) 50 per cent. of food consumed by their populations.

Gillian Merron: 66 developing countries received more than 1 million of DFID bilateral assistance (including DFID debt relief) in 2006-07 (the last year for which we have figures).
	 (a) Of these, the following countries import more than 25 per cent. of their food by weight but less than 50 per cent:
	Burundi;
	Cameroon;
	Ghana;
	Sri Lanka;
	Mozambique;
	Nicaragua;
	Rwanda; Zimbabwe, and
	Democratic Republic of Congo.
	 (b) The following countries import more than 50 per cent. of their food by weight:
	Albania;
	Angola;
	Armenia;
	Benin;
	Bosnia and Herzegovina;
	Gambia;
	Georgia;
	Jamaica;
	Jordan;
	Lebanon;
	Liberia;
	Peru;
	Senegal;
	Sierra Leone; and
	Yemen.
	The data (derived from the Washington-based International Food Policy Research Institute) do not distinguish those food imports that can be used for animal food and other non-human consumption and those that are used for human consumption.

Global Schools Partnership

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many schools in  (a) Wales and  (b) the UK have taken part in the Global Schools Partnership in the last three years for which records are available.

Gillian Merron: A total of  (a) 102 schools in Wales, and  (b) 1,235 schools in the United Kingdom as a whole, have taken part in the DFID Global School Partnerships programme in the period from 1 April 2005 to 29 February 2008.

HIV Infection

Keith Hill: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how his Department's revised HIV and AIDS strategy will promote a comprehensive approach to HIV prevention that  (a) is effective for women and girls and  (b) is based on evidence of what works.

Gillian Merron: Following a public consultation the UK Government are currently updating 'Taking ActionThe UK's strategy for tackling HIV and AIDS in the developing world'. The updated AIDS strategy will continue to place women and girls at its heart and to promote an AIDS response which is based on evidence and best practice.

Sudan: Overseas Aid

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made in restoring access to humanitarian aid by the civilian population in Western Darfur in light of the activities of Sudanese and Chadian armed forces in the region and attacks on aid convoys; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: On 11 February, the Government of Sudan lifted its blockade against humanitarian agencies, which have now resumed humanitarian flights and providing emergency assistance, including non-food items and medicines, to conflict-affected people, but the protection of civilians remains a major concern. Humanitarian agencies are still unable to access the Jebel Moun area, where fighting was ongoing by the end of February, but humanitarian activities have since resumed close to the Chadian border south of El-Geneina.
	I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement made by my right hon. Friends, the Foreign and International Development Secretaries, on 27 February, which called on all parties to stop the violence; to allow immediate humanitarian access; to protect civilians; and to facilitate the deployment of UNAMID.

Sudan: Politics and Government

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the humanitarian situation in Darfur.

Gillian Merron: holding answer 10 March 2008
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Glenrothes (Mr. MacDougall) on 4 March 2008,  Official Report, column 2252W.

OLYMPICS

Humanitarian Aid

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Minister for the Olympics pursuant to the answer of 21 February 2008,  Official Report, column 835, on humanitarian aid, which Government department employs the Humanitarian Assistance Unit staff; what contribution the Department of Culture, Media and Sport makes to the unit; and which other departments make contributions.

Tessa Jowell: The Humanitarian Assistance Unit staff are employed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). DCMS also funds the work of the unit.
	The following Departments and agencies contribute to the work of the unit, through the humanitarian assistance programme board: the Home Office, the Ministry of Justice, the Department for Communities and Local Government, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department of Health, the Cabinet Office, the Treasury, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Local Government Association, the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services.

INNOVATION, UNIVERSITIES AND SKILLS

Apprentices

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills for what reasons the figure of 250,000 existing apprenticeships, as referred to in the press release of 16 November 2007, Ambitious Plans to Help Boost Nation's Job Prospects, is different from the figures for apprenticeships provided for  (a) 16 to 18-year-olds and  (b) adult learners in Table three and Table seven of the Learning and Skills Council's Statement of Priorities issued in November 2007.

David Lammy: The figure of 250,000 is calculated by reference to Average in Learning (AiL), that is the average number of Apprentices during the year. This is also the basis for the figures in Table 7 of the Learning and Skills Council's Statement of Priorities.
	Table 3 uses a different methodology which counts the total number of Apprentices at any time during the year. This is to ensure comparability across the various funding lines for young people. The AiL numbers for 16-18 year olds are, however, also given in a footnote to the table.
	We announced, in World-class Apprenticeships, that we are changing the way we count Apprenticeships. In place of AiL, we will count the number of people starting an Apprenticeship in the year ('starts') and the percentage who complete an Apprenticeship ('completion rate').

DEFENCE

Aircraft Carriers

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the capacity of  (a) HMS Illustrious and  (b) HMS Ark Royal to remain in service until the future aircraft carriers join the fleet.

Bob Ainsworth: HMS Ark Royal and HMS Illustrious are to be withdrawn from service in 2012 and 2015 respectively. Our plans allow both ships to be fully supported in service until their scheduled withdrawal in advance of the future aircraft carriers joining the fleet.

Armed Forces: Housing

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the 50 most expensive substitute service family accommodation and substitute single living accommodation properties rented out in the last 12 months were.

Derek Twigg: The information requested will take time to collate. I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
	 Substantive answer from Derek Twigg to Nick Harvey:
	I undertook to write to you in answer to your Parliamentary Question on 3 December 2007,  Official Report, column 824W, about the 50 most expensive substitute Service family accommodation and substitute single living accommodation properties rented out in the last 12 months.
	The 50 most expensive Substitute Service Families Accommodation (SSFA) and Substitute Service Single Accommodation (SSSA) properties currently rented out are listed in the attached. The following table details the range of ranks that are entitled to types of Service Families Accommodation (SFA).
	
		
			  Officers SFA entitlement 
			  Type  Persons (m aximum)  Size (m2)  Navy  Army  RAF 
			 I 6-7 251 Admiral to Rear Admiral General to Major General Air Chief Marshall to Air Vice Marshall 
			 II 6-7 210 Rear Admiral to Captain Brigadier to Colonel Air Commodore to Group Captain 
			 III 6 155.5 Commodore to Commander Colonel to Lt. Colonel Group Captain to Wing Commander 
			 IV 6 137 Lt. Commander Major Squadron Leader 
			 V 5 116.5 Lieutenant and below Major Squadron Leader 
		
	
	
		
			  Other ranks SFA entitlement 
			  Type  Persons (maximum)  Size (m2)  Bedrooms 
			 D 7 119.5 4 
			 C 5 94.5 3 
			 B 4 85.5 2 
		
	
	With regards to SFA, the MOD is required to accommodate entitled personnel within 10 miles of their duty station (or 20 miles with permission of their Service Commander), or for staff in London 90 minutes travelling time on public transport. Where no suitable SFA can be found, SSFA is offered within the appropriate distance from a duty station.
	Substitute Single Service Accommodation (SSSA) is granted to entitled personnel requiring single accommodation when single living accommodation is not available at or close to an individual's place of work.
	
		
			  Substitute single service accommodation 
			  Town  Bedrooms  Rent () 
			 London 3 3,000.00 
			 Slough 5 2,915.00 
			 London 4 2,718.90 
			 London 3 2,592.50 
			 Liphook 6 2,500.00 
			 London 3 2,441.00 
			 London 1 2,340.00 
			 London 3 2,307.20 
			 Saffron Walden 4 2,300.00 
			 London 2 2,285.90 
			 London 2 2,274.95 
			 London 2 2,272.85 
			 London 1 2,225.00 
			 Abingdon 4 2,200.00 
			 London 3 2,197.60 
			 London 2 2,191.66 
			 London 3 2,188.33 
			 London 2 2,187.50 
			 London 2 2,148.55 
			 London 2 2,145.00 
			 London 2 2,131.80 
			 London 2 2,123.33 
			 London 2 2,110.00 
			 London 4 2,110.00 
			 London 2 2,105.00 
			 London 2 2,101.66 
			 London 2 2,100.00 
			 London 2 2,096.00 
			 London 2 2,096.00 
			 London 2 2,094.85 
			 London 2 2,092.85 
			 London 2 2,092.60 
			 London 2 2,090.70 
			 London 2 2,090.70 
			 London 2 2,090.00 
			 London 2 2,090.00 
			 London 2 2,088.00 
			 London 2 2,088.00 
			 London 3 2,086.00 
			 London 3 2,086.00 
			 London 2 2,086.00 
			 London 2 2,085.00 
			 London 3 2,085.00 
			 London 2 2,084.00 
			 London 2 2,084.00 
			 London 2 2,080.00 
			 London 2 2,076.00 
			 London 3 2,075.00 
			 London 2 2,074.00 
			 London 2 2,067.00 
		
	
	
		
			  Substitute service families accommodation 
			  Town  Band  Rent () 
			 Kew II 4,218 
			 Richmond II 3,632 
			 Twickenham IV 3,500 
			 Tadworth III 3,125 
			 Richmond D 3,025 
			 London IV 3,000 
			 Sevenoaks IV 2,925 
			 London IV 2,903 
			 London IV 2,900 
			 Surbiton III 2,867 
			 London IV 2,860 
			 London IV 2,728 
			 Great Missenden II 2,687 
			 Pirbright III 2,660 
			 Northwood IV 2,600 
			 Solihull III 2,600 
			 Northwood IV 2,500 
			 Ashtead III 2,500 
			 Birmingham III 2,500 
			 London III 2,433 
			 Windsor D 2,404 
			 Northwood D 2,400 
			 Uxbridge IV 2,400 
			 High Wycombe III 2,400 
			 Thame III 2,351 
			 Leighton Buzzard II 2,350 
			 Monks Risborough III 2,300 
			 Princes Risborough IV 2,250 
			 Amersham IV 2,250 
			 Marlow IV 2,250 
			 Princes Risborough III 2,250 
			 Maidenhead IV 2,200 
			 Princes Risborough IV 2,200 
			 Princes Risborough IV 2,200 
			 Oxford V 2,200 
			 High Wycombe IV 2,175 
			 Abingdon III 2,175 
			 Slough C 2,175 
			 Aylesbury III 2,142 
			 Old Portsmouth III 2,120 
			 Slough C 2,090 
			 Funtington IV 2,081 
			 Cambridge III 2,075 
			 London D 2,060 
			 Naphill III 2,058 
			 Aylesbury IV 2,050 
			 Bourne End III 2,040 
			 Solihull III 2,025 
			 Oxford III 2,025 
			 Luton III 2,025

Armed Forces: Housing

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the  (a) longest,  (b) shortest and  (c) average period of time was taken to make repairs to a forces' accommodation property after a call out in the last period for which figures are available.

Derek Twigg: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
	 Letter from  Derek Twigg to Nick Harvey:
	I undertook to write to you in answer to your Parliamentary Question on 12 June 2007, (Official Report, column 934W) about the longest, shortest and average wait for repairs to be carried out to a forces' accommodation property after a call-out. I can only apologise for the length of time it has taken to provide a substantive response which was due to an administrative error which is very much regretted.
	From January to March 2007 the longest, shortest and average time taken to make repairs to Single Living Accommodation (SLA) and Service Families Accommodation (SFA) is shown in the table below.
	
		
			  Accommodation  Longest (in days)  Shortest (in days)  Average (in days) 
			 SLA (GB) 106 1 8.4 
			 SLA (overseas and NI) 141 1 14.6 
			 SFA (England and Wales) (June 2006 to May 2007) 324 1 11.05 
			 SFA (Scotland) 73 1 9 
			 SFA (overseas and NI) 153 1 11.5 
		
	
	The above figures represent all types of repairs. While urgent and priority repairs are usually actioned within a matter of hours or a few days, routine repairs can take longer based on a number of factors, including the complexity of the work, whether accommodation is occupied or the availability of parts and materials that are required to finalise repairs.
	I am placing a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Armed Forces: Cadets

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many young people are members of the  (a) Air Training Corps,  (b) Army Cadet Force,  (c) Royal Naval cadets,  (d) sea cadets and  (e) Combined Cadet Force; how many were members of each in 1997; what Government funding is allocated to each organisation in 2007-08; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: Membership of the MOD-affiliated cadet forces as at 1 April in 1997 and 2007 are as follows:
	
		
			   1997  2007 
			 Sea Cadets 15,161 12,438 
			 ACF Army Cadets 40,047 44,723 
			 ATC Air Cadets 32,920 30,852 
			 CCF Combined cadet force (1) 42,593 
			 (1) Figures unavailable  Note: Item  (c) 'Royal Navy Cadets' are covered by the RN element of the CCF and the SCC. 
		
	
	The final Government funding allocated to each organisation is as follows for 2007-08:
	
		
			million 
			 Sea Cadets (includes CCF) 12.5 
			 Air Cadets (includes CCF) 29.6 
			 Army Cadets (includes CCF) 68.5 
		
	
	The mission of the UK cadet forces is to contribute to the development and preparation of young people for transition to adulthood, empowering them to meet the challenges of changing society, through dynamic, military themed, community based activities. We are very proud of the way that the cadet forces do that and especially how they welcome cadets and adult volunteers from all aspects of the community regardless of culture, religion or, social background. Being community based organisations, the majority of cadets and adult volunteers are drawn from the communities in which the units are based and they therefore represent the social mix of the local community.
	The cadet forces aid the personal and social development of young people through developing in young people the attributes of good citizenship, leadership and responsibility, and promote physical and mental fitness and self reliance.

Armed Forces: Uniforms

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what  (a) required and  (b) optional EU (i) patches, (ii) badges and (iii) other insignia British forces wear when serving as a part of an EU military force.

Bob Ainsworth: Although it is not formally mandated, British Forces serving on EU operations wear a Flag of Europe (12 golden stars on a blue background) badge on their sleeve. This is in the same way that British forces serving on NATO or UN operations wear the badge of those respective organisations.

Bombs

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Government plan to phase out cluster munitions in line with the developments of the Oslo Process.

Bob Ainsworth: The Oslo Process aims to conclude a legally binding instrument in 2008 on those cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians. The UK is engaged in the process to that end.

Bombs

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Government intend to call for exemption of ballistic sensor fused munitions as part of the Oslo Process to ban all cluster munitions.

Bob Ainsworth: The UK is engaged in negotiations under the auspices of the Oslo Declaration and will handle the issue of individual weapon systems within that context.

Central Africa: Peacekeeping Operations

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  whether the force generation process for the EU peacekeeping force in Chad and the Central African Republic is complete;
	(2)  whether the required  (a) strategic and tactical airlift,  (b) helicopter support and  (c) engineering capabilities are available for the EU peacekeeping force in Chad and the Central African Republic.

Bob Ainsworth: Following the force generation conference on 11 January, the Operation Commander considered that sufficient forces and enablers had been generated to recommend the launch of the European Security and Defence Policy mission to Chad/Central African Republic (CAR). The mission was then formally launched at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 28 January.
	As in other operations, force generation is an iterative process that will respond on an ongoing basis to changes in contributions and requirements.

Colombia: Armed Forces

Colin Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the army units of the Colombian army which entered Ecuadorian territory have been recipients of British military aid, assistance or advice in the last five years.

Bob Ainsworth: The UK was not involved in, nor had prior knowledge of, the Colombian operation into Ecuador against the FARC. HMG is not aware that any Colombian personnel trained by the UK in the last five years were involved in the operation. UK training to the Colombian armed forces has very specific objectives: improving human rights, assisting humanitarian de-mining, and countering the flow of illegal narcotics. The UK has not and does not provide assistance or advice to the Colombian Government for counter insurgency purposes.

Cyprus: Military Bases

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 1 February 2008,  Official Report, column 1490W, on Cyprus: Military Bases, how many individuals were  (a) charged with and  (b) convicted of poaching under the Protection and Management of Game and Wild Birds Ordinance 2004 in each of the last three years.

Bob Ainsworth: I will write to my right hon. Friend.
	 Substantive answer from Bob Ainsworth to John Spellar:
	I undertook to write to you in answer to your Parliamentary Question on 5 March 2008, (Official Report, column 2554W) about individuals charged and convicted of poaching in sovereign base areas in Cyprus.
	Under the Protection and Management of Game and Wild Birds Ordinance, there are a variety of offences involving the shooting, killing, capturing or pursuing of game and/or wild birds. Approximately 90 per cent of the figures given below are for mist netting offences and carrying a shotgun in a game reserve area.
	The figures for the Sovereign Base Areas are:
	
		
			  Financial year  Number charged  Number convicted  Charged but pending 
			 2005-06 28 22 2 
			 2006-07 39 29 1 
			 2007-08 86 41 41 
		
	
	Cases pending for 2005-06 and 2006-07 are where the accused lives in the Republic of Cyprus and have chosen not to appear in front of the SBA court. In 2007-08 the pending cases are due to be heard over the next few months.

Departmental Databases

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what procedures his Department has in place to ensure that databases containing personal information on members of the public are not accessed  (a) by unauthorised staff and  (b) by authorised staff for unauthorised purposes.

Bob Ainsworth: It is MOD's policy that all personal data are handled in accordance with the Data Protection Act. MOD employs a system of data protection officers who implement the policies set by the Data Protection Policy Cell and advise business units about their handling and use of personal data. In the light of the recent events surrounding the loss of data on service recruits, a full review of our policies and procedures is being led by Sir Edmund Burton. It is due to report no later than 30 April 2008.

Departmental Private Finance Initiative

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what private finance initiative projects have been approved by his Department in each of the last three financial years, broken down by  (a) value and  (b) start date.

Bob Ainsworth: The capital value and start date for every signed PFI project are recorded centrally on the Treasury's website at
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/documents/public_private_partnerships/ppp_pfi_stats.cfm

Departmental Security

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many security passes staff in his Department reported  (a) lost and  (b) stolen in (i) his Department and (ii) departmental agencies in each year since 2001.

Bob Ainsworth: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	However, records are available from 2003 and I refer the hon. Member to the answers given by the then Under-Secretaries of State on 28 January 2004, Offi cial Report, column 371W, and 4 September 2006,  Official Report, column 1713W, to the hon. Members for Winchester (Mr. Oaten) and for Southwark and Bermondsey (Simon Hughes) respectively.
	Figures for lost/stolen service identity cards for the period from July 2006 are as follows. It is not possible to differentiate between lost or stolen cards or whether the card relates to the Department or one of its agencies.
	
		
			   Lost/stolen military identity cards 
			 1 July 2006 to 31 December 2006 4,433 
			 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2007 6,812

Departmental Travel

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on travel  (a) in the UK and  (b) overseas for officials in the last year for which figures are available.

Derek Twigg: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 4 February 2008,  Official Report, column 797W.

Departmental Vehicles

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 20 February 2008,  Official Report, column 201W, on departmental vehicles, whether the vehicles to which the answer referred were leased solely from the Government Car and Despatch Agency.

Bob Ainsworth: The vehicles are leased under the Ministry of Defence's contract with VT Land (Whitefleet Management) Ltd. and not from the Government Car and Despatch Agency.

EU Defence Policy

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what European Security and Defence Policy missions are in the pre-operational planning stage.

Bob Ainsworth: None.

Iraq and Afghanistan: Defence Equipment

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many sets of enhanced body armour are available for infantry serving in  (a) Iraq and  (b) Afghanistan.

Bob Ainsworth: All personnel deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan are issued with a complete set of Enhanced Combat Body Armour (ECBA) before departure. At present, between 14,000 and 16,000 sets of ECBA are being issued to personnel entering operational theatres every six months. Further stocks are also held in theatre for maintenance purposes.

Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel from  (a) Dacorum and  (b) Hemel Hempstead constituency are serving in (i) Iraq and (ii) Afghanistan.

Derek Twigg: The information requested on the UK residential location of armed forces personnel is not held centrally in databases of individual records and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the capacity of the UK Joint Harrier Force to remain in service until the Joint Strike Fighter becomes available.

Bob Ainsworth: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him and the hon. Member for Woodspring (Dr. Fox) on 7 February 2008,  Official Report, column 1493W.

Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation: Finance

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the  (a) annual budget of and  (b) UK contribution to the Organisation for Joint Armaments Cooperation was in each year since 1997.

Bob Ainsworth: The UK contributions to the Organisation for Joint Armaments Cooperation (OCCAR) budgets for each year from 1997 are as follows. Annual budget information for OCCAR has not been provided as disclosure would prejudice relations between the UK and other OCCAR member states.
	
		
			  Table 1: Operating costs 
			   UK contribution to budget  UK contribution (estimated using an average of the general accounting rate for that year) 
			 1997 DM0.229 million 0.104 million 
			 1998 DM0.185 million 0.071 million 
			 1999 DM0.210 million 0.076 million 
			 2000 2.713 million 1.799 million 
			 2001 2.967 million 1.840 million 
			 2002 3.743 million 2.329 million 
			 2003 4.023 million 2.614 million 
			 2004 4.737 million 3.271 million 
			 2005 3.341 million 2.328 million 
			 2006 3.246 million 2.291 million 
			 2007 2.870 million 2.006 million 
			 2008 3.174 million 2.235 million 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Equipment costs 
			   UK contribution to budget ( million)  UK contribution (estimated using an average of the general accounting rate for that year) ( million) 
			 2003 45.144 29.335 
			 2004 124.228 85.783 
			 2005 206.304 143.724 
			 2006 215.100 151.835 
			 2007 293.233 204.939 
			 2008 449.327 316.427

Peacekeeping Operations

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 3 March 2008,  Official Report, column 2057W, on peacekeeping operations, what discussions he has had with his counterparts in other NATO member states on the future rota of the Operational Reserve Force requirement for the Balkans.

Bob Ainsworth: The requirement for an Operational Reserve Force for the Balkans is kept under constant review by NATO.

Qinetiq: Repayments

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was received by his Department as a result of the clawback agreement with QinetiQ in each of the last five years.

Bob Ainsworth: The Department expects to receive 646,710 as a result of the clawback agreement with QinetiQ. The following table shows the sites involved and the amount that has been received or will soon be received:
	
		
			  Site title  Year site sold by Qinetiq  Amount of clawback received ()  Amount of clawback to be received () 
			 Angle 2006  54,960 
			 Cobbett Hill 2004 97,821  
			 Fort Halstead 2005  289,000 
			 Hutton Moor 2005 204,929  
		
	
	It should be noted that the monies awaited are subject to final negotiation over payment.

Territorial Army: Manpower

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the  (a) required and  (b) actual strength of each corps of the Territorial Army is.

Bob Ainsworth: A detailed breakdown of Territorial Army Liability figures by Arm Service is not available, as the figures are not captured in this way. However, the overall Territorial Army liability as at 1 March 2007 was 42,000 which included 3,500 Officer Training Corps.
	A breakdown of the Territorial Army by Arm Service can be found in the 1 March 2007 Army Monthly Manning Report, Section G, Tables G3 and G4, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

Weapons: Spare Parts

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 29 February 2008,  Official Report, columns 2019-20W, on weapons, when the last purchase of  (a) general purpose machine guns and additional quick change barrels and  (b) 0.5 calibre heavy machine guns and additional quick change barrels was made; and when the next such purchases are planned.

Bob Ainsworth: holding answer 7 March 2008
	MOD has contracts in place with all its machine gun manufacturers to provide the weapons and spares to continue to support the current levels of operational usage. Contractors are paid upon delivery, hence the dates provided in the following table are delivery dates. For the General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) and Heavy Machine Gun Quick Change Barrel (HMG (QCB)) the details are as follows:
	
		
			  Item  Last delivery  Next delivery 
			 GPMG (gun including two barrels) 1970s May 2008 onwards 
			 GPMG spare barrels November 2007 November 2008 onwards 
			 HMG (QCB) (gun including two barrels) February 2007 March 2008 onwards 
			 HMG spare barrels April 2007 March 2008 onwards

Wind Power

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to which wind farm proposals his Department lodged objection in each of the last three years; and for what reasons in each case.

Derek Twigg: The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			  Year  Site name  Consenting authority  Reason for MOD objection 
			 2005 Crow Holt Bassetlaw district council Interference with air traffic control (ATC) radar 
			 2005 Royal Oak Darlington borough council Interference with ATC radar 
			 2005 Greencroft Derwentside borough council Interference with air defence (AD) radar 
			 2005 Hartside/Green Rig Tynedale council Interference with ATC radar 
			 2005 Fallago Rig Scottish Executive Interference with AD radar 
			 2005 Limmer Hill Scottish Executive Unacceptable restriction on operational low flying 
			 2005 Orby Marsh DBERR Interference with ATC radar 
			 2005 Spireslack Scottish Executive Unacceptable restriction on operational low flying 
			 2005 Ray Estates DBERR Interference with ATC radar 
			 2006 Gapshield Tynedale Interference with ATC radar 
			 2006 Aesica Blyth Valley council Interference with AD radar 
			 2006 McCain Foods Fenland district council Interference with ATC radar 
			 2006 Moneylaws Hill Berwick Upon Tweed Interference with AD radar 
			 2006 Broombank Highland council Interference with ATC radar 
			 2006 Middlemoor DBERR Interference with AD radar 
			 2006 Dunbeath Scottish Executive Interference with ATC radar 
			 2006 Earlshaugh Scottish Executive Interference to Eskdalemuir seismological recording station 
			 2006 Newfield Scottish Executive Interference to Eskdalemuir seismological recording station 
			 2006 Scaut Hill Scottish Executive Interference with AD and ATC radar 
			 2007 Bruxiehill Aberdeenshire council Interference with AD radar 
			 2007 Manor Farm Stainfield West Lindsey district council Interference with ATC radar 
			 2007 Townhead/Fleeter Wood Allerdale borough council Interference with ATC radar 
			 2007 Woodgate Farm South Holland district council Interference with ATC radar 
			 2007 Cotton Farm Huntingdon council Interference with ATC radar 
			 2007 Sunderland Farm/Roos East Riding council Interference with AD radar 
			 2007 Wandylaw Berwick Upon Tweed Interference with AD radar 
			 2007 Routh/Hall Farm East Riding council Interference with AD radar 
			 2007 Monkwith East Riding council Interference with AD radar 
			 2007 Imerys Restmorel Interference with ATC radar 
			 2007 Epson Telford and Wrekin council Interference with ATC radar 
			 2007 Aultmore Moray council Interference with ATC radar 
			 2007 Wryde Croft Peterborough council Interference with ATC radar 
			 2007 Lazenby Fell Eden district council Interference with NATS radar (military) 
			 2007 Hare Hill Extension East Ayrshire Unacceptable restriction on operational low flying 
			 2007 Andershaw South Lanarkshire council Unacceptable restriction on operational low flying 
			 2007 Premier Foods South Holland district council Interference with ATC radar 
			 2007 MSD Cramlington Blyth Valley council Interference with AD radar 
			 2007 Peterborough Sewage Works/Flag Fen Peterborough council Interference with ATC radar 
			 2007 Knutsgrove Peterborough council Interference with ATC radar 
			 2007 Withernwick East Riding council Interference with AD radar 
			 2007 Bruntshiels/Gathercauld Fife council Interference with ATC radar 
			 2007 Steadings/Great Bavingdon DBERR Interference with ATC radar 
		
	
	The Ministry of Defence (MOD) fully supports the Government's renewable energy policies and considers each development proposal on a case by case basis and only objects where absolutely essential. To assist developers and avoid unnecessary expenditure MOD operates a pre-planning consultation system. We are always ready to consider mitigation measures, i.e. changing height or number of turbines or slightly changing their location where mutually agreeable if that would allow a development to go forward.

CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES

Academies

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  how many expressions of interest in creating an academy school have been registered since June 2005;
	(2)  how many academy school projects entered the feasibility stage in each month since June 2005;
	(3)  on how many occasions expressions of interest in creating an academy school were agreed by the Secretary of State in each month since June 2005.

Jim Knight: Once an Expression of Interest for an academy has been agreed, the academy project enters its feasibility stage. Up to the end of January 2008, the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families and his predecessors had agreed 114 Academy Expressions of Interest since June 2005. The names of the academies, the phase they have reached and the date that the Expression of Interest was signed are placed in the House Libraries.

Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what average length of time the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) took to produce reports in child contact cases in each CAFCASS area in the last period for which figures are available.

Kevin Brennan: This is a matter for the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS). Anthony Douglas, the chief executive, has written to my hon. Member with the information requested and a copy of his reply has been placed in the House Library.
	 Letter from Anthony Douglas, dated 14 February 2008:
	I am writing to you in response to the Parliamentary Question that you tabled recently:
	184756To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what average length of time the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) took to produce reports in child contact cases in each Cafcass area in the last period for which figures are available.
	The attached table indicates the average number of weeks it takes each regional team to file a Section 7 Report. These figures are for the period 01 April 2007 to the 31 December 2007.
	A copy of this reply will be placed in the House Library.

Children: Abuse

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate he has made of the number of children who were victims of crimes committed by parents or carers in the last year.

Vernon Coaker: I have been asked to reply.
	There is no single data source that is able to provide an authorative estimate of the number of children who were victims of crimes committed by their parents or carers.
	Home Office statistics showed that in 2006-07, 33 homicide victims under the age of 16 were killed by their parents.
	Home Office research published in 1998 on child sex offending showed the majority of perpetrators (80 per cent.) sexually assault children who are known to them, with these offences taking place in the home of either the offender or the victim.
	An NSPCC commissioned survey published in 2000, found seven per cent. of young adults had suffered physical abuse as a child at the hands of parents or carers.
	The 2005 Offending, Crime and Justice Survey (OCJS) shows among children aged 10 to 15 years who were victims of assaults (both with and without injury) parents were the perpetrator in one per cent. of cases.

Children: Day Care

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families when he expects there will be sufficient provision of child care in all areas for all ages of children up to 14 years.

Beverley Hughes: The Childcare Act 2006 requires all English local authorities to complete by 31 March 2008 assessments of the sufficiency of child care in their areas, showing demand for child care, available supply, and any gaps between the two. From 1 April 2008, local authorities will be under a related duty to secure, so far as is reasonably practicable, sufficient child care places for all working parents, or parents undertaking education or training in preparation for work. Every local authority will be expected to work with schools and private, voluntary and independent sector providers to fill, as far as it is able, gaps in provision identified in its sufficiency assessment.

Children's Centres: Loughborough

Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  how many children centres have opened in Loughborough;
	(2)  how many places are available in children centres in Loughborough;
	(3)  when he expects to complete the programme of building children centres in Loughborough.

Beverley Hughes: As of 7 March, there are five designated Sure Start Children's Centres in Loughborough, with one further centre due to be designated by the end of March. Local authorities have until 2010 to complete the final phase of the roll out of their children's centre programmes. All local authorities have been given indicative numbers of centres required to reach the remaining children under five in their areas and will be supported by our deliver partner, Together for Children, in planning their remaining centres. Children's centres provide a range of services depending on local need. They do not offer a set number of places but it is expected that on average a children's centre will serve a community with about 800 children under five years old. Centres in the 30 per cent. most disadvantaged areas offer child care to some children in their area. Information is not held centrally about the number of child care places in each centre.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if he will break down, by subhead in  (a) near cash and  (b) non cash terms his Department's (i) gross resource outturn, (ii) operating appropriations in aid outturn, (iii) gross capital outturn and (iv) non-operating appropriations in aid outturn for financial years 2001-02 to 2006-07.

Kevin Brennan: The subheads of a Department change over time so a time series analysis by subhead does not provide a consistent set of figures. The following table sets out the figures requested by request for resource for the years 2002-03 to 2006-07 for DCSF programmes within the former Department for Education and Skills. Figures for 2001-02 can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			   RfR  2006-07  2005-06  2004-05  2003-04  2002-03 
			  Resource budget expenditure   
			 Near-cash RfR01 39,557,190 11,933,770 10,474,593 10,107,111 9,405,399 
			  RfR02 1,077,432 929,369 728,367 603,940 183,974 
			  RfR03 142,947 168,842 221,579 261,970 139,883 
			 Near cash total  40,777,569 13,031,981 11,424,539 10,973,021 9,729,256 
			
			 Non-cash RfR01 26,309 27,050 20,737 13,735 1,534 
			  RfR02 0   872 134 
			 Non-cash total  26,309 27,050 20,737 14,607 1,668 
			
			 Resource expenditure total  40,803,878 13,059,031 11,445,276 10,987,628 9,730,924 
			
			  Resource budget appropriations-in-aid   
			 Near-cash RfR01 -16,390 -15,457 -12,551 -16,034 -13,193 
			  RfR02  -290 -319 -1  
			  RfR03-1  
			 Near cash total  -16,390 -15,747 -12,870 -16,036 -13,193 
			 Resource AiA total  -16,390 -15,747 -12,870 -16,036 -13,193 
			
			  Capital budget expenditure   
			 Capital RfR01 13,894 8,639 9,621 12,311 11,116 
			  RfR03  14 33   
			 Capital total  13,894 8,653 9,654 12,311 11,116 
			
			 Capital expenditure total  13,894 8,653 9,654 12,311 11,116 
			
			  Capital budget appropriations-in-aid   
			 Capital RfR01 -169 -124 -529 -718 -144 
			 Capital total  -169 -124 -529 -718 -144 
			
			 Capital AiA total  -169 -124 -529 -718 -144

Education Maintenance Allowance

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many young people who are not resident in the United Kingdom were receiving the education maintenance allowance in the latest period for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: Young people who are not resident in the UK are not eligible to apply for education maintenance allowance (EMA) unless they are from a British forces family and attending a service children's education (SCE) school overseas.
	The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) operates the EMA for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and hold information about payments made under the scheme. Mark Haysom, the LSC's Chief Executive, has written to the hon. Member with the information requested and a copy of his reply has been placed in the House Library.
	 Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 4 March 2008:
	I am writing in response to your Parliamentary Question that asked; How many young people who are not resident in the United Kingdom were receiving the education maintenance allowance in the latest period for which figures are available.
	Young people who are not resident in the UK are not eligible to apply for Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) unless they are from a British Forces family and attending a Service Children's Education (SCE) school overseas.
	In 2006/07 there were 14 learners receiving EMA with a BFPO postcode.

Education Maintenance Allowance: Expenditure

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the expenditure by his Department was on the education maintenance allowance in each year since its introduction, broken down by income decile of recipients' parents.

Jim Knight: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), who operate the education maintenance allowance (EMA) for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and hold the information about and payments and expenditure made under the scheme. Mark Haysom, the LSC's chief executive, has written to the hon. Member with the information requested and a copy of his reply has been placed in the House Library.
	 Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 6 March 2008:
	I am writing in response to your Parliamentary Question that asked: What the total expenditure by his Department was on the Educational Maintenance Allowance in each year since its introduction, broken down by parental income decile of recipients.
	In the first year of national roll out EMA was available to all 16 year olds across England and to 17 and 18 year olds in former pilot areas (young people who are 19 are entitled to receive EMA in certain circumstances). In 2005/06 EMA roll out continued and EMA was available to all 16 and 17 year olds nationally. In 2006/07 EMA was available to all 16, 17 and 18 year olds nationally.
	Applications are income assessed, based on the learner's total household income, with the maximum income to be eligible in 2007/08 of 30,810.
	If the learner fully meets the criteria of the scheme they are entitled to receive weekly payments as follows:
	
		
			   
			  Household income per annum 2004-05  Household income per annum 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08  Weekly EMA payment 
			 Up to 19,630 Up to 20,817 30 
			 19,631 to 24,030 20,818 to 25,521 20 
			 24,031 to 30,000 25,522 to 30,810 10 
			 Over 30,000 Over 30,810 Nil 
		
	
	The following table shows EMA expenditure split by payment band for England during each academic year since the schemes inception.
	
		
			  EMA expenditure in each academic year, England 
			   million 
			  Band  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 ( 1) 2007-08 
			 30 195.8 279.8 344.3 202.8 
			 20 17.3 25.1 28.5 16.1 
			 10 9.4 11.4 12.3 6.9 
			  
			 Total 222.5 316.3 385.1 225.7 
			 (1) To end February 2008

Education Maintenance Allowance: Fraud

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many fraudulent claims of education maintenance allowance there were in each year since 1999-2000.

Jim Knight: After extensive piloting, the education maintenance allowance was rolled out nationally from September 2004. Responsibility for operating the education maintenance allowance, and implementing and maintaining a strategy for managing the risk of fraud, transferred to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) on 1 April 2005. Mark Haysom, the LSC's chief executive, has written to the hon. Member with the information requested and a copy of his reply has been placed in the House Library.
	 Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 22 November 2007:
	I am writing in response to your Parliamentary Question that asked:
	How many fraudulent claims of educational maintenance allowance there were in each year since 1999-2000.
	After extensive piloting, the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) was rolled out nationally from September 2004. In taking the decision to roll out the scheme, the then Department for education and Skills (DfES) ensured there were robust arrangements in place to minimise the risk of fraud.
	Prior to the rollout of the national scheme, the potential for EMA Fraud was discussed with previous Secretaries of State and the then DfES Board. Both acknowledged that some degree of fraud is inevitable in a scheme such as EMA.
	Responsibility for operating EMA, and maintaining and implementing a strategy for managing the risk of fraud, transferred to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) on 1 April 2005.
	The EMA national scheme has been operating in its current form since September 2004 and in 2006/07 supported over 525,000 learners aged 16 to 19.
	The following table provides details on the number of fraudulent claims that have been identified and the amount of money recovered for the 4 years of the national scheme.
	
		
			   Number of fraudulent claims established  Amount recovered () 
			 2004-05 0 0 
			 2005-06 15 1,120 
			 2006-07 15 1,170 
			 2007-08 (to date) 1 0

English Language: Finance

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what funding was provided to each local authority for the provision of English as a foreign language teaching in each year since 1997.

Jim Knight: The Government provide funding for new arrivals and EAL children in schools through two main routes. The first is an unringfenced element within the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for primary schools and the second is a substantial provision for EAL through the ringfenced Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant (EMAG).
	The following spreadsheet shows the sums provided to each authority through EMAG. Data are only available from 1999.
	
		
			  Allocations for Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant each year since 1999-2000 
			   
			   Total Allocation( 1) 
			  Local authority  1999-2000  2000-01( 1)  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			   
			 Corporation of London 108,500 107,415 107,415 107,415 107,415 107,415 106,113 105,462 104,811 
			 Camden 2.931,900 3,102,868 2,931,900 2,931,900 2,931,900 2,931,900 2,830,984 2,820,626 2,820,626 
			 Greenwich 1,783,616 1,866,510 1,912,505 1,912,505 1,912,505 2,048,839 2,294,525 2,431,705 2,562,171 
			 Hackney 4,299,222 4,442,766 4,299,222 4,299,222 4,299,222 4,510,578 4,510,578 4,510,578 4,627,167 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 940,880 1,189,642 1,202,577 1,202,577 1,202,577 1,349,811 1,747,200 1,938,761 2,071,664 
			 Islington 2,529,175 2,529,175 2,529,175 2,529,175 2,529,175 2,679,211 2,833,729 2,941,473 3,078,838 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 1,177,506 1,219,975 1,164,506 1,164,506 1,164,506 1,220,007 1,264,995 1,303,156 1,360,649 
			 Lambeth 3,436,055 3,603,405 3,402,055 3,402,055 3,402,055 3,641,709 3,997,186 4,206,123 4,421,830 
			 Lewisham 2,211,561 2,543,947 2,698,457 2,698,457 2,698,457 2,856,268 3,090,629 3,253,408 3,395,732 
			 Southwark 1,431,818 1,910,192 2,053,869 2,053,869 2,053,869 2,429,505 3,735,045 4,333,427 4,690,306 
			 Tower Hamlets 8,125,390 8,095,454 8,044,136 8,044,136 8,044,136 8,437,623 8,437,623 8,437,623 8,665,220 
			 Wandsworth 1,912,879 2,163,323 2,332,179 2,332,179 2,332,179 2,446,492 2,569,965 2,660,780 2,782,700 
			 Westminster 2,151,538 2,136,538 2,136,538 2,136,538 2,136,538 2,305,676 2,664,249 2,853,890 3,017,074 
			 Barking 662,475 672,625 634,870 634,870 634,870 699,613 1,040,865 1,198,271 1,294,123 
			 Barnet 1,459,113 1,190,476 1,913,572 1,913,572 1,913,572 2,002,532 2,239,468 2,372,173 2,499,053 
			 Bexley 179,781 313,705 273,969 273,969 273,969 290,652 378,085 420,134 449,124 
			 Brent 2,370,904 2,804,240 2,991,961 2,991,961 2,991,961 3,238,458 4,027,377 4,416,301 4,702,371 
			 Bromley 51,161 166,547 112,808 112,808 112,808 146,707 338,189 422,717 466,722 
			 Croydon 2,032,254 2,163,023 2,107,095 2,107,095 2,107,095 2,211,492 2,471,781 2,617,745 2,757,591 
			 Ealing 2,949,203 3,556,921 3,701,735 3J01,735 3,701,735 3,882,071 4,045,735 4,175,977 4,363,008 
			 Enfield 2,293,602 2,357,497 2,476,533 2,476,533 2,476,533 2,613,754 2,979,838 3,177,463 3,354,398 
			 Haringey 3,337,039 3,526,622 3,599,985 3,599,985 3,599,985 3,846,606 4,348,194 4,623,066 4,876,048 
			 Harrow 863,751 1,214,881 1,263,821 1,263,821 1,263,821 1,324,360 1,562,055 1,684,617 1,784,674 
			 Havering 75,640 131,090 109,926 109,926 109,926 118,233 177,740 205,130 221,694 
			 Hillingdon 629,631 872,091 792,240 792,240 792,240 845,995 1,081,611 1,195,895 1,276,512 
			 Hounslow 1,829,207 2,279,528 2,360,138 2,360,138 2,360,138 2,416,406 2,452,024 2,504,630 2,607,840 
			 Kingston Upon Thames 222,389 309,329 312,690 312,690 312,690 312,690 326,902 337,835 353,106 
			 Merton 803,895 913,930 989,608 989,608 989,608 989,608 989,608 989,608 991,759 
			 Newham 253,058 1,038,976 1,410,781 3,333,858 3,333,858 3,950,127 5,988,205 6,924,770 7,488,154 
			 Redbridge 1,965,442 2,228,929 2,417,966 2,417,966 2,417,966 2,417,966 2,536,702 2,625,041 2,744,882 
			 Richmond Upon Thames 76,785 164,041 142,621 142,621 142,621 157,018 233,837 269,263 290,821 
			 Sutton 151,345 301,005 229,067 229,067 229,067 242,953 317,531 353,321 377,850 
			 Waltham Forest 2,054,111 2,426,419 2,557,579 2,557,579 2,557,579 2,715,776 3,027,079 3,202,743 3,372,816 
			 Birmingham 5,908,043 7,288,725 8,211,164 8,211,164 8,211,164 9,110,045 11,794,368 13,088,224 13,985,663 
			 Coventry 3,208,635 3,208,635 3,208,635 3,208,635 3,208,635 3,208,635 3,041,387 2,957,763 2,874,139 
			 Dudley 1,679,723 1,679,723 1,679,723 1,679,723 1,679,723 1,679,723 1,517,113 1,435,808 1,354,504 
			 Sandwell 331,689 1,594,539 1,736,068 1,736,068 1,736,068 1,814,722 1,894,601 1,956,933 2,045,035 
			 Solihull  73,120 39,978 39,978 39,978 53,154 141,274 179,953 199,633 
			 Walsall 1,962,120 1,962,120 1,962,120 1,962,120 1,962,120 1,962,120 1,809,607 1,733,350 1,657,094 
			 Wolverhampton 2,498,696 3,566,228 2,498,696 2,498,696 2,498,696 2,498,696 2,360,424 2,291,288 2,222,152 
			 Knowsley  4,002 6,760 6,760 6,760 35,000 37,862 39,631 41,594 
			 Liverpool 444,014 519,083 573,262 573,262 573,262 636,833 800,301 880,359 938,275 
			 St. Helens 27,343 86,914 34,064 34,064 34,064 35,000 37,237 38,738 40,577 
			 Sefton  79,841 13,525 13,525 13,525 35,000 35,000 60,934 65,867 
			 Wirral  12,340 20,631 20,631 20,631 35,000 86,176 108,703 120,296 
			 Bolton 938,052 1,147,765 1,052,062 1,052,062 1,052,062 1,052,062 909,047 909,047 909,047 
			 Bury 487,320 539,266 487,320 487,320 487,320 487,320 390,074 365,215 365,215 
			 Manchester 2,988,148 3,305,363 3,013,363 3,013,363 3,013,363 3,293,657 3,974,538 4,317,900 4,584,630 
			 Oldham 2,423,068 2,423,934 2,403,068 2,403,068 2,403,068 2,403,068 2,264,101 2,194,618 2,125,134 
			 Rochdale 1,490,703 1,608,763 1,490,703 1,490,703 1,490,703 1,490,703 1,364,399 1,301,247 1,257,291 
			 Salford 94,732 206,052 125,078 125,078 125,078 139,637 208,504 240,246 259,528 
			 Stockport 114,892 103,080 120,653 120,653 120,653 130,108 174,581 195,695 209,735 
			 Tameside 531,905 646,649 531,905 531,905 531,905 531,905 406,252 394,186 394,186 
			 Trafford 421,131 518,210 523,308 523,308 523,308 523,308 447,074 447,074 447,074 
			 Wigan 121,503 243,818 121,503 121,503 121,503 121,503 89,076 89,076 89,076 
			 Barnsley  81,322 11,316 11,316 11,316 35,000 41,415 44,712 47,383 
			 Doncaster 139,870 324,711 174,730 174,730 174,730 184,533 193,235 199,822 208,896 
			 Rotherham 628,345 667,136 628,345 628,345 628,345 628,345 479,546 409,602 409,602 
			 Sheffield 1,870,859 2,018,222 1,870,859 1,870,859 1,870,859 1,870,859 1,641,373 1,641,373 1,641,373 
			 Bradford 7,569,000 7,788,980 7,569,000 7,569,000 7,569,000 7,569,000 7,280,251 7,135,876 6,991,501 
			 Calderdale 1,150,746 1,150,746 1,150,746 1,150,746 1,150,746 1,150,746 1,037,602 981,031 924,459 
			 Kirklees 4,152,833 4,187,568 4,152,833 4,152,833 4,152,833 4,152,833 3,933,893 3,824,423 3,714,953 
			 Leeds 1,186,136 1,704,706 1,512,802 1,512,802 1,512,802 1,579,478 1,701,784 1,778,712 1,865,915 
			 Wakefield 474,288 563,667 474,288 474,288 474,288 474,288 305,872 254,234 254,234 
			 Gateshead 54,404 128,279 65,549 65,549 65,549 69,375 81,521 87,809 92,990 
			 Newcastle Upon Tyne 504,213 600,263 613,453 613,453 613,453 644,179 699,383 733,044 769,670 
			 North Tyneside 155,504 198,051 161,012 161,012 161,012 161,012 95,391 95,391 95,391 
			 South Tyneside 208,885 208,885 208,885 208,885 208,885 208,885 124,706 123,011 123,011 
			 Sunderland 128,867 194,214 144,208 144,208 144,208 144,208 144,208 144,365 149,304 
			 Isles of Scilly  0 63 63 63 0 0 0 0 
			 Bath and North East Somerset  45,686 51,622 51,622 51,622 51,622 52,242 53,305 55,482 
			 Bristol 1,126,875 1,036,269 1,036,269 1,036,269 1,036,269 1,036,269 1,036,269 1,045,689 1,084,372 
			 North Somerset  14,479 18,253 18,253 18,253 35,000 35,603 36,402 37,914 
			 South Gloucestershire  404,142 44,911 44,911 44,911 46,477 62,727 70,426 75,514 
			 Hartlepool 23,221 23,722 25,807 25,807 25,807 35,000 35,000 35,000 35,000 
			 Middlesbrough 459,107 612,787 454,607 454,607 454,607 454,607 446,661 446,661 446,661 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 45,820 45,320 45,320 45,320 45,320 49,623 66,265 74,180 79,471 
			 Stockton-on-Tees 197,972 195,418 195,418 195,418 195,418 195,418 148,068 148,068 148,068 
			 Kingston-upon-Hull 51,694 52,791 60,019 60,019 60,019 68,643 104,008 120,261 130,041 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire  387,330 19,690 19,690 19,690 35,000 35,000 35,000 35,868 
			 North East Lincolnshire 43,476 43,476 43,476 43,476 43,476 43,549 47,387 49,708 52,205 
			 North Lincolnshire 281,121 281,121 281,121 281,121 281,121 281,121 195,947 153,360 140,489 
			 North Yorkshire 72,456 174,580 43,963 43,963 43,963 45,965 57,942 63,798 68,014 
			 York  146,838 58,901 58,901 58,901 58,901 48,701 48,701 48,701 
			 Bedfordshire 1,018,635 1,227,363 1,018,635 1,018,635 1,018,635 1,018,635 813,145 710,400 695,452 
			 Luton 2,215,052 2,287,952 2,188,832 2,188,832 2,188,832 2,188,832 2,188,832 2,188,832 2,246,857 
			 Buckinghamshire 1,594,891 1,803,612 1,594,891 1,594,891 1,594,891 1,594,891 1,346,796 1,222,748 1,098,700 
			 Milton Keynes 384,562 480,419 467,667 467,667 467,667 467,667 468,196 475,643 494,349 
			 Derbyshire  107,991 121,568 121,568 121,568 121,568 129,863 135,303 141,792 
			 Derby City 1,741,890 1,911,083 1,653,054 1,653,054 1,653,054 1,653,054 1,525,097 1,461,119 1,409,218 
			 Dorset  65,534 26,415 26,415 26,415 35,000 38,347 40,326 42,385 
			 Poole 48,708 67,272 22,098 22,098 22,098 35,000 35,000 35,000 35,000 
			 Bournemouth  24,909 31,284 31,284 31,284 35,000 62,670 75,098 82,006 
			 Durham  336,146 92,529 92,529 92,529 92,529 89,729 89,729 89,729 
			 Darlington 191,074 114,645 114,645 114,645 114,645 114,645 61,632 57,845 57,845 
			 East Sussex 149,209 334,931 180,666 180,666 180,666 180,666 182,979 186,761 194,408 
			 Brighton and Hove 247,270 247,270 247,270 247,270 247,270 247,270 255,648 263,064 274,569 
			 Hampshire 177,125 397,838 250,513 250,513 250,513 250,513 273,691 287,516 302,100 
			 Portsmouth 217,491 217,491 217,491 217,491 217,491 217,491 206,841 206,841 206,841 
			 Southampton 483,237 483,237 483,237 483,237 483,237 483,237 483,237 483,237 487,132 
			 Leicestershire 634,726 1,048,455 811,986 811,986 811,986 811,986 517,740 507,604 507,604 
			 Leicester City 3,255,001 3,645,064 3,645,064 3,645,064 3,645,064 3,645,064 3,645,064 3,649,439 3,774,424 
			 Rutland  0 1,630 0 1,630 35,000 35,000 35,000 35,000 
			 Staffordshire 490,666 490,666 528,985 528,985 528,985 528,985 376,298 376,298 376,298 
			 Stoke-on-Trent 614,112 614,112 614,112 614,112 614,112 614,112 614,112 614,112 616,112 
			 Wiltshire  280,985 89,375 89,375 89,375 89,375 89,375 90,157 93,482 
			 Swindon 178,352 128,473 142,712 142,712 142,712 142,712 162,060 172,575 182,108 
			 Bracknell Forest  18,058 23,219 23,219 23,219 35,000 40,080 42,803 45,208 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 242,142 281,552 307,795 307,795 307,795 307,795 242,284 209,529 207,522 
			 West Berkshire  20,692 26,541 26,541 26,541 35,000 44,775 49,514 52,855 
			 Reading 503,353 480,975 480,975 480,975 480,975 480,975 478,124 478,124 478,124 
			 Slough 1,084,527 1,238,694 1,344,916 1,344,916 1,344,916 1,344,916 1,268,479 1,260,765 1,260,765 
			 Wokingham 25,109 297,927 72,947 72,947 72,947 72,947 85,906 92,600 98,085 
			 Cambridgeshire 461,390 889,509 456,390 456,390 456,390 456,390 308,402 308,402 308,402 
			 Peterborough 1,008,312 1,084,212 981,212 981,212 981,212 981,212 880,126 829,583 815,303 
			 Cheshire  280,000 35,384 35,384 35,384 43,858 104,472 131,189 145,016 
			 Halton  0 4,175 4,175 4,175 35,000 35,000 35,000 35,000 
			 Warrington 110,886 108,886 108,886 108,886 108,886 108,886 71,499 71,499 71,499 
			 Devon 17,597 325,827 36,839 36,839 36,839 42,109 71,676 85,028 92,597 
			 Plymouth 108,390 108,390 108,390 108,390 108,390 113,674 122,200 127,617 133,838 
			 Torbay  3,563 6,159 6,159 6,159 35,000 44,642 49,325 52,639 
			 Essex 10,658 548,237 124,623 124,623 124,623 154,724 358,586 448,556 495,348 
			 Southend-on-Sea  17,583 31,111 31,111 31,111 35,000 121,169 158,729 177,298 
			 Thurrock 51,146 133,954 72,670 72,670 72,670 78,696 121,043 140,451 152,023 
			 Herefordshire  2,019 3,480 3,480 3,480 35,000 35,000 35,000 35,000 
			 Worcestershire 374,099 374,099 374,099 374,099 374,099 374,099 226,532 226,532 226,532 
			 Kent 1,824,159 2,459,221 1,824,159 1,824,159 1,824,159 1,824,159 1,098,838 934,264 934,264 
			 Medway 456,320 343,320 343,320 343,320 343,320 343,320 234,159 234,159 234,159 
			 Lancashire 4,134,560 4,506,176 4,134,560 4,134,560 4,134,560 4,134,560 3,539,176 3,241,484 2,943,792 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 2,069,706 2,069,706 2,069,706 2,069,706 2,069,706 2,069,706 1,977,126 1,930,837 1,884,547 
			 Blackpool  5,176 8,491 8,491 8,491 35,000 45,818 51,006 54,554 
			 Nottinghamshire 176,832 362,633 267,267 267,267 267,267 280,035 332,407 359,230 380,808 
			 Nottingham City 1,989,797 2,004,797 1,973,797 1,973,797 1,973,797 1,973,797 1,972,504 1,972,504 1,972,504 
			 Shropshire  35,230 39,608 39,608 39,608 39,608 39,608 39,608 40,798 
			 Telford and Wrekin 216,498 211,140 228,496 228,496 228,496 228,496 228,496 229,109 237,074 
			 Cornwall  124,501 10,843 10,843 10,843 35,000 43,732 48,024 51,157 
			 Cumbria  86,920 12,900 12,900 12,900 35,000 45,719 50,865 54,393 
			 Gloucestershire 329,641 534,935 361,118 361,118 361,118 361,118 261,826 261.826 261,826 
			 Hertfordshire 2,272,207 2,841,259 2,272,207 2,272,207 2,272,207 2,272,207 1,707,656 1,426,981 1,426,981 
			 Isle Of Wight  0 4,168 4,168 4,168 35,000 35,630 36,442 37,959 
			 Lincolnshire 124,699 369,384 153,817 153,817 153,817 153,817 165,608 173,048 181,517 
			 Norfolk 317,925 679,779 305,925 305,925 305,925 305,925 274,374 274,374 274,374 
			 Northamptonshire 837,562 1,139,918 837,562 837,562 837,562 837,562 619,488 619,488 619,488 
			 Northumberland  89,118 12,271 0 12,271 35,000 39,982 42,663 45,048 
			 Oxfordshire 690,665 1,188,472 742,282 804,282 804,282 804,282 564,667 564,667 564,667 
			 Somerset 94,353 246,840 94,353 94,353 94,353 94,353 75,170 75,170 75,170 
			 Suffolk 357,869 519,886 356,984 356,984 356,984 356,984 304,845 304,845 304,845 
			 Surrey 433,308 886,970 596,398 596,398 596,398 596,398 596,398 596,398 614,240 
			 Warwickshire 1,498,412 1,498,412 1,498,412 1,498,412 1,498,412 1,498,412 1,249,272 1,124,701 1,000,131 
			 West Sussex 312,228 571,061 430,072 430,072 430,072 430,072 321,352 321,352 321,352 
			  139,274,586 162,946,443 153,907,740 155,878,916 155,892,817 162,128,510 168,595,841 173,631,602 178,625,674 
			 (1) From 1999-2000 to 2005-06 figures include contributions from local authorities. From 2006-07 the grant has been fully paid by the Government.

Primary Education: Per Capita Costs

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the average expenditure allocated per child to primary schools is  (a) in Bournemouth and  (b) at Townsend School, Bournemouth in 2007-08.

Jim Knight: holding answer 10 March 2008
	 The average per pupil figure in 2007-08 for Bournemouth local authority was 3,075 and for Townsend School it was 4,592.

Young People: Skin Piercing

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether there is an obligation to obtain parental consent before providing a  (a) child and  (b) young person with a body piercing in a commercial setting.

Dawn Primarolo: I have been asked to reply.
	There is no statutory age of consent for cosmetic piercing (cosmetic body piercing and ear piercing). Cosmetic piercing of a minor is lawful provided valid consent is given. A minor is able to give valid consent if he or she is capable of understanding the nature and consequences of the act to be done. Furthermore, the courts have held that a parent's right to decide on behalf of his or her child yields to the child's valid consent.
	Cosmetic body piercing for sexual gratification is unlawful. Children under the age of 16 are not able to consent lawfully to a piercing that would be regarded as indecent assault. Genital or nipple piercing performed on someone under the age of 16 might be regarded as indecent assault under sexual offences legislation, depending on the facts of the case.
	Guidance on issues relating to the age of consent for cosmetic piercing is contained in the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) Local Authority Circular (LAC) 76/2: Enforcement of skin piercing activities. This guidance recommends that businesses are advised to adopt reasonable age restrictions and involve parents where appropriate. The guidance is available on the HSE website at:
	www.hse.gov.uk/lau/lacs/76-2.htm
	Copies have been placed in the Library.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Alcoholic Drinks

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what  (a) criteria and  (b) other factors will be used in ranking geographical areas as potential hotspots for alcohol problems; and what scoring system will be applied in making that ranking.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Government will be working with police, local authorities and other stakeholders to develop tools to help local enforcement agencies better identify problem areas and premises. Ultimately such decisions have to be made locally using local knowledge.

Alcoholic Drinks: Licensing

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many businesses have had a licence to serve alcohol in each constituency in Yorkshire and the Humber in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Prior to the implementation of the Licensing Act 2003 which came into force on November 2005, data on the number of liquor licences issued under the Licensing Act 1964 (the 1964 Act) in England and Wales was collected by petty sessional divisions (magistrates courts areas) on a triennial basis. The last set of data relating to the 1964 Act was published in 2004. It is not possible to break this number down by constituency areas. The data for petty sessional divisions in Yorkshire and Humberside are set out in the table.
	
		
			   Number 
			  Humberside  
			 Beverley and the Wold 418 
			 Bridlington 377 
			 Gould and Howdenshire 128 
			 Grimsby and Cleethorpes 365 
			 Hull and Holderness 757 
			 North Lincolnshire 417 
			   
			  North Yorkshire  
			 Harrogate 598 
			 Northallerton and Richmond 589 
			 Scarborough 1,069 
			 Selby 257 
			 Skipton 273 
			 York 681 
			   
			  South Yorkshire  
			 Barnsley District 611 
			 Doncaster 645 
			 Rotherham 592 
			 Sheffield 1,277 
			   
			  West Yorkshire  
			 Bately and Dewsbury 495 
			 Bradford 869 
			 Calderdale 588 
			 Huddersfield 811 
			 Keighley 595 
			 Leeds District 2,278 
			 Pontefract 394 
			 Wakefield 522 
		
	
	The first DCMS Statistical Bulletin on Alcohol, Entertainment and Late Night Refreshment licences issued under the Licensing Act 2003, published on 8 November 2007, shows the number of licences granted between April 2006 and March 2007 broken down by licensing authorities. These include licences for on-sales or supply of alcohol only, off-sales of alcohol only and both on and off sales or supply of alcohol. The data for Yorkshire and the Humber are in the table.
	
		
			  Premises licences and club premises certificates by licensable activity authorised in force on 31 March 2007 
			   Number 
			 Barnsley 597 
			 Bradford 1,109 
			 Calderdale 590 
			 Craven 237 
			 Doncaster(1)  
			 East Riding of Yorkshire(1)  
			 Hambleton(1)  
			 Harrogate 432 
			 Hull 637 
			 Kirklees 914 
			 Leeds 2,152 
			 North East Lincolnshire 426 
			 North Lincolnshire(1)  
			 Richmondshire 284 
			 Rotherham  
			 Ryedale 249 
			 Scarborough(1)  
			 Selby 285 
			 Sheffield(1)  
			 Wakefield 723 
			 York(1)  
			 (1)( )Data not supplied.

Alcoholic Drinks: Licensing

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether a yellow card will be issued automatically for a breach of the terms of an alcohol licence; and whether such warnings will replace other sanctions.

Gerry Sutcliffe: It would be for the licensing authority to decide whether to issue the equivalent of a yellow card at the end of a review hearing, if necessary for the promotion of one or more of the licensing objectives. This approach will not replace existing sanctions, but would propose a range of measures appropriate to the nature of the breach incurred.

Alcoholic Drinks: Licensing

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many licensees have had their licences revoked for selling alcohol to under-age people  (a) once,  (b) twice,  (c) three times and  (d) on four or more occasions.

Gerry Sutcliffe: This information is not held centrally.
	The Licensing Act 2003 introduced new procedures to allow premises licences to be reviewed where problems occur, including the illegal sales of alcohol to children. The review process allows a range of actions, including licence suspension and revocation; there were 675 reviews in England and Wales in 2006-07 (based on information provided by 85 per cent. of licensing authorities response rate) which resulted in 92 licences being revoked and 91 being suspended. Premises licences may be revoked for a number of reasons or a variety of factors, including sales to children.
	There were also 37 personal licences suspended, revoked of forfeited in 2006-07 (80 per cent. response rate). The loss of personal licence could relate to conviction for any one of a number of relevant offences, including the sale of alcohol to children.

Alcoholic Drinks: Licensing

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many licensees in north Kent have had their licence to sell alcohol revoked for selling alcohol to under 18 year olds in each of the last five years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: This information is not held centrally.
	Prior to the implementation of the Licensing Act 2003 which came into force on 25 November 2005, data on the number of liquor licences issued under the Licensing Act 1964 (the 1964 Act) in England and Wales were collected by petty sessional divisions (magistrates courts areas), on a three yearly basis. The last set of data relating to the 1964 Act covered the triennial renewal process in 2004 when 354 premises had their licences revoked in England and Wales. These data do not indicate the reason for revocation which could include premises having simply ceased trading. These data are not available broken down by region.
	The Licensing Act 2003 introduced new procedures to allow licences to be reviewed where problems occur, including the illegal sales of alcohol to children. The review process allows a range of actions, including licence suspension and revocation; there were 675 reviews in England and Wales in 2006-07.
	The first Statistical Bulletin on licences issued under the Licensing Act 2003 was published on 8 November 2007. The following table gives information on the number of licences revoked by all Kent licensing authorities, although it does not give information on why they were revoked nor the proportion of those revoked licences that included a permission to sell alcohol.
	
		
			  Licensing authority  Total completed reviews  No action taken  Operating hours modified  Licensable activity partially restricted  Licensable activity completely excluded  Other conditions added or modified  Designated premises supervisor removed (premises licences only)  Licence or certificate suspended  Licence revoked or club premises certificate withdrawn 
			 Ashford 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Canterbury 3 0 3 1 1 3 0 0 0 
			 Dartford 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Dover 3 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 
			 Gravesham 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Maidstone 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Medway 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 
			 Sevenoaks 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 
			 Shepway 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Swale(1)  
			 Thanet 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Tonbridge and Malling 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 
			 Tunbridge Wells 3 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 
			 (1) Data not supplied

Alliance for the Arts in Criminal Justice

Edward Vaizey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to establish the Alliance for the Arts in Criminal Justice; what funding he plans to allocate to the body; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government are supporting the development of an independent Arts Alliance as a representative voice for the arts sector working with offenders to support rehabilitation and reduce re-offending.
	An Arts Forum will be also set up to facilitate discussions between the Arts Alliance and other stakeholders such as Government Departments and the Arts Council, in developing the role of arts in supporting offender management.
	The Ministry of Justice, Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, and the Arts Council have agreed, in principle, to fund the development of the alliance. We are in the process of agreeing the sum of funding available.

Arts Council of England: East Midlands

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent assessment he has made of the impact of Arts Council England's regional theatre policy on theatres in the East Midlands; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 10 March 2008
	My Department has made no recent assessment of the impact of Arts Council England's regional theatre policy on theatres in the East Midlands.
	Arts Council England's research shows that at least 518,781 people attended performances at ACE funded theatres in the East Midlands in 2006-07, including 61,933 young people. This represents a 38 per cent. increase in total audience figures on the previous year and over 100 per cent. increase in the number of young people accessing performances.

Arts Council of England: Public Appointments

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether  (a) national and  (b) regional council members of Arts Council England are required to declare recent party political activity prior to appointment.

Margaret Hodge: National members and regional chairs of ACE are asked to provide details of political activity undertaken in the past five years when applying for appointment. This is in accordance with the Code of Practice of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
	There is no written requirement that regional council members should declare recent party political activity prior to appointment, other than the chair of the Council who also sits on the national Arts Council.

Arts: Finance

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding his Department provided for cultural observatories in each English region in each of the last three years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 6 March 2008
	My Department has not provided any funding for the regional cultural observatories in the last three years.

Arts: Finance

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding regional cultural consortiums provided to cultural observatories in each English region in each of the last three years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 6 March 2008
	The regional cultural consortiums have provided the following funding to the cultural observatories in their regions in each of the last three years.
	
		
			  Funding (000) 
			  Region  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 East 0 0 0 
			 South-east 39 25 32 
			 North-east 0 0 5 
			 North-west 40 40 31 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 15 15 5 
			 East midlands 0 0 5 
			 South-west 36 28 14 
			 West midlands 6 19 14 
		
	
	In some cases, the consortiums have also secured additional funding for the observatories from their regional partners.

British Olympic Association

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what guidance the British Olympic Association has issued to athletes on managing questions on political issues  (a) preceding and  (b) during the Beijing Olympic games.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 6 March 2008
	This is a matter for the British Olympic Association (BOA). The BOA is independent of Government and it is therefore not appropriate for Government to answer on their behalf.

Casinos

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether local authorities will have a role in deciding the opening hours of the casinos they license.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Under the Gambling Act 2005 (Mandatory and Default Conditions) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007, default conditions attaching to casino premises licences state that no facilities for gambling shall be provided on the premises between the hours of 6 am and noon on any day.
	Casino operators can apply to their licensing authority to vary these hours. This is a matter for individual licensing authorities to determine.

Civil Service Appeal Board

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many and what percentage of appeals by employees of  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies were (i) heard and (ii) upheld by the Civil Service Appeal Board in each of the last 10 years; how much was awarded in compensation by the Board to each successful appellant in each year; what the reason was for each compensation award; how many appellants were reinstated by the Board in each year; and what the reason was for each (A) dismissal and (B) reinstatement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: There have been no appeals to the Civil Service Appeal Board by employees of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport or the Royal Parks Agency in the last 10 years.

Convergence Think Tank

Edward Vaizey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 18 February 2008,  Official Report, columns 318-19W, on the Convergence Think Tank, when he intends to send the list of invitees to the Convergence Think Tank seminars to the hon. Member for Wantage, and to deposit the list in the Library.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 6 March 2008
	A list of invitees for the first Convergence Think Tank seminar held on 7 February 2008 has now been sent to the hon. Member for Wantage, and deposited in the Library. The Department will send invitee lists for future seminars after they have taken place.

Departmental Correspondence

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the average time taken by his Department was to respond to letters from hon. Members in the latest period for which figures are available.

Andy Burnham: We do not hold this information in the format requested.
	In the 2007 calendar year, DCMS received 4,726 letters that required a response from hon. Members and peers. 76.87 per cent. of these were answered within 20 working days of receipt.

Departmental Internet

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if his Department will  (a) follow the Internet Content Rating Association (ICRA) guidelines and  (b) display ICRA's label on the websites for which it is responsible.

Margaret Hodge: My Department  (a) follows the ICRA guidelines for its main website:
	www.culture.gov.uk
	and  (b) displays the ICRA label on the website.
	My Department will review the use of ICRA on its smaller websites.

Departmental Meetings

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many meetings he has held since taking office; and what was discussed at each meeting.

Andy Burnham: holding answer 10 March 2008
	Ministers meet many people as part of the process of policy development. It is not normal practice to disclose details of such meetings. A list of Ministers meetings with external stakeholders is regularly published on the DCMS website:
	www.culture.gov.uk

Departmental Official Visits

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many official ministerial visits he has made since taking office; and what the purpose was of each such visit.

Andy Burnham: holding answer 10 March 2008
	 Since taking up office, I have made 21 official ministerial visits to discuss current issues with people working in the policy areas covered by my Department and to see a range of cultural and sporting events.

Departmental Public Appointments

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many public appointments he has made in the last 12 months; and to which positions those appointments were made.

Andy Burnham: Together with the ministerial team in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Secretary of State has made 100 public appointments in the 12 months to 25 February 2008. We have also recommended 32 candidates to the Prime Minister, and one to Her Majesty the Queen, for appointment during this period, all of whom have been appointed.
	The total number of appointments is 133, including reappointments, and the positions to which the appointments were made are shown in the table.
	
		
			  Name of public body  Title of role  Appointing authority  Number 
			 Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites Member Secretary of State 3 
			 Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment Commissioners Secretary of State 8 
			 English Heritage Commissioners Secretary of State 5 
			  Chair  1 
			 Historic Royal Palaces Trustees Secretary of State 3 
			 Arts Council England Member Secretary of State 1 
			  Chair  1 
			 Theatres Trust Trustees Secretary of State 6 
			 Sianel 4 Cymraeg Members Secretary of State 3 
			 National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts Trustees Secretary of State 3 
			  Chair  1 
			 UK Film Council Members Secretary of State 3 
			 Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art Members Secretary of State 3 
			 Spoliation Advisory Panel Members Secretary of State 6 
			 Treasure Valuation Committee Member Secretary of State 1 
			 Gambling Commission Commissioners Secretary of State 5 
			  Chair  1 
			 Horserace Totalisator Members Secretary of State 2 
			 National Lottery Commission Commissioners Secretary of State 4 
			 Advisory Committee on the Government Art Collection Members Secretary of State 4 
			  Chair  1 
			 Museums, Libraries and Archives Council Chair Secretary of State 1 
			 Culture East Midlands Chair Secretary of State 1 
			 Culture South West Chair Secretary of State 1 
			 Advisory Committee on National Historic Ships Member Secretary of State 1 
			 Advisory Council on Libraries Members Secretary of State 2 
			 British Library Members Secretary of State 8 
			 Horniman Public Museum and Public Park Trust Trustee Secretary of State 1 
			 Imperial War Museum Trustee Secretary of State 1 
			 Legal Deposit Advisory Panel Member Secretary of State 1 
			 Museum of Science and Industry Chair Secretary of State 1 
			 National Museums Liverpool Trustee Secretary of State 1 
			  Chair  1 
			 Public Lending Right Advisory Committee Chair Secretary of State 1 
			 Royal Armouries Members Secretary of State 2 
			  Chair  1 
			 Football Licensing Authority Member Secretary of State 1 
			 Olympic Delivery Authority Chair Secretary of State 1 
			 Sport England Members Secretary of State 6 
			 England Marketing Advisory Board Trustees Secretary of State 3 
			 National Heritage Memorial Fund Trustees Prime Minister 2 
			 British Museum Trustees Prime Minister 4 
			 Museum of London Governors Prime Minister 2 
			 National Gallery Trustee Prime Minister 1 
			 National Maritime Museum Trustees Prime Minister 2 
			 National Museum of Science and Industry Trustees Prime Minister 5 
			 National Portrait Gallery Trustee Prime Minister 1 
			  Deputy Chair  1 
			 Natural History Museum Trustee Prime Minister 1 
			 Tate Gallery Trustees Prime Minister 3 
			 Victoria and Albert Museum Trustees Prime Minister 3 
			  Chair  1 
			 Wallace Collection Trustees Prime Minister 6 
			 BBC Trust Chair Her Majesty the Queen 1

Departmental Sick Leave

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 21 February 2008,  Official Report, columns 998-99W, on departmental sick leave, for what reasons the percentage of working days lost attributed to stress in 2006-07 differs from the figure of 27 per cent. of working days lost attributed to mental disorders (stress) in the Cabinet Office Analysis of Sickness Absence Report for 2006-07.

Margaret Hodge: The 27 per cent. figure published on the Cabinet Office Analysis of Sickness Absence report for 2006-07, was on working days lost due to mental disorders. According to Annex G of the report it includes not only stress but other ailments such as mental and behavioural disorders, disorders of the personality and behaviour; mood affective disorders, neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders.
	The 13 per cent. answer of 21 February 2008,  Official Report, columns 998-99W, was on working days lost that were attributable only to stress.

Written Questions

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what the average time taken by his Department to give a substantive answer to ordinary written questions has been in Session 2007-08;
	(2)  what percentage of named day questions were given a substantive answer by his Department on the named day since October 2007.

Andy Burnham: holding answer 10 March 2008
	43 per cent. of named day questions tabled to my Department between 1 October 2007 and 29 February 2008 were given a substantive answer on the named day. This figure includes named day questions answered by the Minister for the Olympics.
	Information on the average number of days taken to answer ordinary written questions is not readily available in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Great Leighs Racecourse: Betting

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to ensure that there is open competition for on-course betting pitches at Great Leighs Racecourse; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The allocation of on-course bookmakers' pitches on new racecourses, such as Great Leighs, is a matter for commercial negotiations between the racecourse and the bookmakers, and is not a matter for the Government.
	However, we are confident that racecourses will want to ensure that pitches are allocated in a fair manner, allowing all on-course bookmakers an equal opportunity to apply to operate from these pitches.

Hotels: Standards

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of  (a) hotels,  (b) guesthouses and  (c) bed and breakfasts were accredited in (i) England and (ii) London in each of the last five years.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 21 February 2008
	My Department does not maintain a central record of accredited holiday accommodation.
	However VisitBritain administers a voluntary National Quality Accreditation Scheme (NQAS) and in 2007, it commissioned an accommodation census aimed at measuring the levels of hotels, bed and breakfasts and guest houses across the United Kingdom.
	The information provided by the 2007 census indicated 50 per cent. of holiday accommodation in the United Kingdom had been assessed as part of the NQAS.
	In 2006, Visit London undertook a comprehensive survey of the holiday accommodation in London boroughs and this showed that only 34 per cent. of the capital's accommodation providers (having 47 per cent. of total rooms) participate in NQAS.

Local Authorities

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many meetings he has held with representatives of local authorities since his appointment; and with which local authorities.

Andy Burnham: I have met with representatives of Sunderland city council at a recent trip to the North East. I will also be speaking at the Local Government Association Annual Culture, Tourism and Sport Conference on 14 March 2008 in Liverpool.

Classical Music

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps his Department is taking to support live classical music.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 10 March 2008
	 Government investment and support for classical music is channelled through Arts Council England.
	In 2007-08 Arts Council investment in England's eight key symphony orchestras totalled over 15.5 million and support for chamber orchestras and contemporary music groups over 2 million.
	Arts Council support for opera in this period totalled over 35 million. In addition, the Royal Opera House received 26,252,600 which contributes to both opera and ballet.

National Lottery: Swimming

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on what projects funding from the lottery for swimming has been spent since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Sport England lottery funding for swimming pools has contributed to a total of 169 projects between 1997 and 2008. Of these awards; 90 were made to local authorities; 38 were made to the Amateur Swimming Association; 11 were made direct to swimming clubs; with the remaining 30 made to other community and educational organisations.
	UK Sport has provided lottery funding for the World Class Performance Programme of the aquatic sports; swimming, disabled swimming, synchronised swimming and water polo, providing dedicated support to athletes in their ambition to win medals at World, European, Olympic and Paralympic Games.
	In addition UK Sport through its World Class Events Programme made lottery awards to the following major events:
	
		
			   Event 
			 2003 European Junior Swimming and Diving Championships 
			 2007 LENS European Nations Trophy (Water Polo) 
			 2007 FINA Marathon Swimming World Cup 
			 2007 FINA Diving World Series 
			 2008 FINA Diving World Series 
			 2008 World Short Course Swimming Championships

National Lottery: Tamworth

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much Lottery funding was awarded to organisations in Tamworth constituency in  (a) 1997 and  (b) each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Gerry Sutcliffe: In the calendar year 1997, the Tamworth constituency received 854,082 in grants from the National Lottery Distributing Bodies.
	
		
			  Financial year  Total value of grants () 
			 2002-03 756,338 
			 2003-04 621,026 
			 2004-05 52,414 
			 2005-06 751,269 
			 2006-07 72,537 
		
	
	The information is location specific. That is the list includes only grants that are specific to locations in the constituency and excludes grants that might have gone to addresses in the constituency, to headquarters offices for example, but are not otherwise related to it. The Department's Lottery Grants Database is searchable at:
	www.lottery.culture.gov.uk
	and uses information supplied by the Lottery distributors.

Orford Park Project

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received on the Orford Park Project.

Andy Burnham: I have received representations from my hon. Friend the Member for Warrington, North (Helen Jones) on the Orford Park project.

Television

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many plasma television screens have been purchased by his Department and its agencies, and at what cost, in the last 24 months.  [Official Report, 28 April 2008, Vol. 475, c. 2MC.]

Margaret Hodge: In the last 24 months, my Department has purchased one plasma television screen at a cost of 8,014.68 excluding VAT (9,417.25 including VAT). The cost covered purchase and installation.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

Abbott Mead Vickers

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many contracts there were between his Department and Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO in each of the last 10 years; and what the  (a) value and  (b) purpose of each was.

Tom Watson: The information requested for the Cabinet Office is not held centrally and is therefore available only at disproportionate cost.

Cabinet Papers: Freedom of Information

Dai Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what requests the Prime Minister's Office has received under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 for the release of Cabinet minutes; and what response was made to each request.

Edward Miliband: The information requested cannot be obtained without incurring disproportionate costs.

Charities: Political Activities

Francis Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the timetable is for the Charity Commission's issue of a new edition of its CC9 guidance on campaigning and political activity by charities.

Phil Hope: The Charity Commission's revised guidance CC9 - Campaigning and Political Activities by Charities was published on 6 March and is available on its website at:
	http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/publications/cc9.asp
	I have placed a copy in the Libraries of the House.

Charity Commission: Finance

Francis Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 19 February 2008,  Official Report, columns 34-37WS, on the departmental expenditure limit (2007-08), for what reasons the Charity Commission's departmental expenditure limit was increased by 2.8 million.

Phil Hope: This is a matter for the Charity Commission as the independent Government Department responsible for the regulation of charities in England and Wales. The Chief Executive of the Charity Commission will write to the right hon. Member and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library of the House.

Civil Service

Francis Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what estimate his Department has made of the number of staff in the Civil Service who are classified as without posts.

Tom Watson: The reduction of posts within the civil service is an issue for individual Departments and agencies. Staff are actively managed in accordance with their Department's policies and practices and taking into account the cross civil service protocols on handling surplus staff.

Departmental Advertising

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which of his Department's initiatives were advertised to the public in each of the last 10 years; and what the cost of each such campaign was in each year.

Tom Watson: I refer to the answers given by my hon. Friend, the then Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Murphy) to the hon. Member for North-East Hertfordshire (Mr. Heald) on 27 February 2006,  Official Report, columns 39-40W, and to the reply given by my hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Mr. McFadden) to the hon. Member for South Holland and The Deepings (Mr. Hayes) on 11 July 2006,  Official Report, columns 1822-23W.
	The only Cabinet Office initiative advertised since these answers was the recent campaign to encourage the nomination of 'everyday heroes' for honours, the advertising cost of which was 137,852.

Departmental Plants

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much his Department spent on pot plants in each of the last five years.

Tom Watson: The information requested is not held centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Ministerial Residences

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer of 19 February 2008,  Official Report, column 688W, on ministerial residences, what the value is of each property.

Tom Watson: Information on capital values of freehold properties is included in the National Asset Register 2007, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

Public Appointments

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he is taking to increase the scrutiny of public appointments; and if he will make a statement.

Tom Watson: The Governance of Britain Green Paper sets out the Government's proposals for improving the public appointments process. This includes a specific proposal to increase parliamentary scrutiny of public appointments by introducing pre-appointment hearings by parliamentary Select Committees for certain key posts. The Government set out more detail of the proposal in a letter to the Chair of the Liaison Committee on 23 January 2008. Copies of the letter are in the Library of the House. The Liaison Committee published their response on 5 March 2008. The Government are currently considering the response and will reply in due course.

Voluntary Organisations: Contracts

Ian Gibson: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the proportion of contracts awarded to third sector organisations that provide services in Norwich North that are three-year contracts;
	(2)  what progress has been made towards ensuring third sector organisations providing services in Norwich North are awarded three-year contracts.

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  what progress has been made towards ensuring that third sector organisations providing services in Eastbourne are awarded three-year contracts;
	(2)  what proportion of contracts awarded to third sector organisations that provide services in Eastbourne have been three-year contracts.

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  what proportion of contracts awarded to third sector organisations that provide services in Peterborough are three-year contracts;
	(2)  what progress has been made towards ensuring third sector organisations providing services in Peterborough are awarded three-year contracts.

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the proportion of contracts awarded to third sector organisations that provide services in North West Cambridgeshire that are three year contracts;
	(2)  what progress has been made towards ensuring third sector organisations providing services in North West Cambridgeshire are awarded three-year contracts.

Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  what progress has been made towards engaging third sector organisations providing publicly-funded services in Castle Point on three-year contracts;
	(2)  what proportion of contracts awarded to third sector organisations that provide publicly-funded services in Castle Point are three-year contracts.

David Borrow: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress has been made towards ensuring that third sector organisations which provide services in South Ribble are awarded three year contracts; and what proportion were awarded three- year contracts in 2006-07.

Phil Hope: This Government are committed to ensuring that three-year funding for third sector organisations becomes the norm rather than the exception. I will be reporting on Government progress in meeting this funding commitment to HM Treasury on an annual basis. The first report will be made in the autumn 2008 and will be laid before Parliament. It is expected that local authorities will be making reports on three year funding from 2009 onwards.
	The information requested is currently not recorded centrally.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Caribbean: Royal Visits

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the itinerary is for His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales's official visit to the Caribbean in March 2008; what the  (a) date and  (b) location is of each official engagement during the visit; which countries included in the itinerary His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales will be visiting as Heir Apparent to that country; and how many officials are expected to participate in the visit at public expense.

Meg Munn: holding answer 5 March 2008
	Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall visited Trinidad and Tobago from 3 to 6 March, St. Lucia on 7 March, and Montserrat on 8 March and will visit Jamaica on 12 to 14 March.
	The objective of the visit is to reinforce ties with the Commonwealth Caribbean. Numerous engagements are planned, but as examples, in Trinidad and Tobago, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales undertook engagements related to crime and security; in St. Lucia engagements related to the environment, trade and investment; in Montserrat engagements related to environment and a visit to a community centre; and in Jamaica His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales will undertake engagements relating to urban regeneration and climate security. For security reasons programme details, including times and locations, are not made public before a visit takes place. I shall write to my hon. Friend with the programme when the official visit to the Caribbean has finished.
	His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales is in line to be the next Head of State of St. Lucia, Montserrat and Jamaica.
	Their Royal Highnesses are being accompanied by 14 members of their staff. In addition between three and 14 members of our respective High Commissions/Governor's office are participating in the visit.

Departmental Home Working

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people in his Department have been able to work from home in the last 12 months.

Meg Munn: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is committed to helping its staff maintain a healthy work/life balance. We encourage staff and their managers to think creatively about flexible work patterns, including remote working.
	The FCO does not compile or hold data centrally on the number of staff who work from home. Such arrangements are agreed locally between staff and their managers.

Departmental Official Hospitality

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent by his Department and its agencies on  (a) alcohol and  (b) entertaining in the last 12 months.

Meg Munn: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), Government Hospitality Team is responsible for official hospitality at ministerial level across Whitehall. In the financial year 2006-07 Government Hospitality spent a total of 809,529.40 in direct charges to suppliers. This was divided between general catering charges, including food, staff, flowers, provision of sound equipment and alcohol as follows:
	Catering costs: 700,814.16
	Wine Cellar costs: 108,715.24
	Officials across the FCO, both at home and overseas, commit expenditure on entertainment of official contacts in line with the FCO's objectives. This expenditure includes the costs of food, drink and sundries when official contacts are entertained at an officer's home or at an external venue. This expenditure is not broken down into the requested categories, and to obtain this information would require analysis of each individual invoice. This could be done only at disproportionate cost.
	All expenditure, including that on hospitality, has to be incurred in accordance with the principles of Managing Public Money and HM Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.

Departmental Temporary Employment

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what average hourly rate his Department paid to employment agencies for agency staff in each year since 1999, broken down by employment agency.

Meg Munn: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) employs temporary agency staff for a variety of reasons, for example to complete a specific project, fill an advisory role on an ad hoc basis, or to cover an existing slot that could not be filled internally.
	The FCO uses various agencies under the national framework for temporary staff. Most of these are for the supply of Administrative Officer (FCO grade A2) staff in central London. Rates vary according to the length of assignment and skill-set required. Information dating back to 1999 is not held centrally. However, the following table shows the hourly average rates agreed with the agencies used by the FCO since 2004.
	These agreed rates are indicative and are issued to guide hiring managers across the FCO to whom responsibility for recruitment of temporary staff has been devolved. As a result the FCO cannot confirm actual average fees paid without incurring disproportionate cost.
	
		
			   
			  Agency  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			  Top three 
			 The Eclipse Organisation 12.48 13.90 13.90 13.90 
			 Manpower 11.56 11.82 11.82 12.66 
			 Select Appointments plc n/a 15.49 15.49 17.24 
			 Average n/a 13.74 13.74 14.60 
			  
			  Others used by FCO 
			 Adecco UK Ltd n/a n/a 17.50 n/a 
			 Hays 16.46 16.83 16.83 n/a 
			 Kelly n/a 14.90 14.90 n/a 
			 Average n/a n/a 16.41 n/a 
			  
			 Average of all n/a n/a 15.07 n/a

Written Questions

Richard Younger-Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many and what proportion of Parliamentary questions for answer on a named day to his Department received a  (a) holding and  (b) substantive answer on the named day in each year since 2001.

Meg Munn: The information requested by the hon. Member is provided in the following table.
	
		
			   Foreign and Commonwealth Office named day written PQs  Number receiving a holding answer  Number receiving a substantive answer 
			 2001-2002 1,043 189 854 
			 2002-2003 591 151 440 
			 2003-2004 548 162 386 
			 2004-2005 487 186 301 
			 2005-2006 788 183 605 
			 2006-2007 672 119 553 
			 2007-2008(1) 386 84 302 
			 (1) Data available so far this parliamentary session.

Ecuador: Foreign Relations

Colin Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on Colombia's incursion into Ecuador; and what response he has made to the Organisation of American States declaration of 5 March on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ecuador.

Meg Munn: In discussions with Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela and other international partners since the events of 1 March, we have expressed our concern about the growing tension and deployment of armed forces along the Colombian border. We have urged all parties to show restraint, to avoid any further escalation of the situation, and to seek, through dialogue, a political solution.
	We welcome the outcome of the meeting of the Rio Group Summit in Santa Domingo on 7 March that has diffused tensions between the Governments of Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela, which with other members of the Rio Group reiterated a commitment to peaceful co-operation in the region. We also welcome the initiation of a process through the Organisation of American States (OAS), including a commission to report to the scheduled meeting of OAS Foreign Ministers on 17 March.
	We hope that all partners in the region can work positively together to eradicate the activity and influence of illegal terrorist groups, including the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, while ensuring that measures taken by states to combat terrorism are legal, proportionate and justifiable.

Eritrea: Ethiopia

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the security situation on the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea; and what steps the UK is proposing to reduce tensions.

David Miliband: The Government are concerned at the tense security situation on the Ethiopia-Eritrea border. The tension is exacerbated by the large numbers of military forces deployed on both sides of the border, the incursion into the Temporary Security Zone by Eritrean armed forces, the restrictions imposed on the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), the failure of Ethiopia and Eritrea to agree to re-activate the work of the Military Coordination Commission and the absence of any progress by Ethiopia and Eritrea towards agreeing a lasting settlement to their conflict, as they committed to do when they signed the Algiers Agreements of 2000.
	We support the efforts of the UN with the parties, including the UN Security Council. We fully support UN Security Council Resolution 1798, adopted unanimously on 30 January 2008, and expect the parties to implement fully all its provisions, including, those elements relating to showing maximum restraints, refraining from any threat or use of force, avoiding provocative military activities and hostile statements, co-operating with UNMEE and returning to 16 December 2004 levels of military deployment.

European Commission: Greater London

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the European Commission on its representative office for the European Commission in London.

Jim Murphy: We have received no representations from the European Commission on its representative office for the European Commission in London.

International Cooperation: Human Rights

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he plans to propose the inclusion of the UN holocaust education department on the preparatory committee for the Durban II conference at the Geneva preparatory committee of April 2008.

Meg Munn: The Preparatory Committee for the Durban Review Conference is comprised of UN member states (as for other UN meetings). Non-governmental organisations, and UN Specialised Agencies, funds and programmes can observe in accordance with UN practice. The UN Secretariatof which the holocaust and the UN Outreach Programme is a partwould not normally participate in the Committee's deliberations in its own right.
	As stated in the response I gave to my hon. Friend on 28 February2008,  Official Report, columns 1822-23W, the Government will seek opportunities with our EU partners to give holocaust education and remembrance appropriate attention as negotiations continue. As the preparatory process for the Durban Review Conference unfolds, we would expect input from all parts of the UN system that deals with issues relevant to the Conference.

Iran: Banks

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what steps will be taken by UK authorities as a result of the inclusion of Iranian banks Melli and Mellat in UN Security Council Resolution 1803 (2008); and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what steps the Government plan to take to exercise vigilance over the activities of financial institutions in the UK with all banks domiciled in Iran, as required in UN Security Council Resolution 1803 (2008).

Jane Kennedy: I have been asked to reply.
	In October 2007 HM Treasury, following agreement by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), advised the financial sector to consider applying increased scrutiny and due diligence to transactions associated with Iran due to deficiencies in Iran's anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing regimes. We reiterated this on 29 February 2008 following a second FATF statement.
	On 4 March 2008 HM Treasury published a notice on its website again advising caution and alerting the UK financial sector to the financial measures in UN Security Council Resolution 1803, which mentions banks Melli and Sanderat. The notice is available at http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/9/C/fin_sanctions_iran_notification_040308.pdf
	The UK also monitors the activities of UK financial institutions with all banks domiciled in Iran, in accordance with its international commitments.

Iran: Banks

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment has been made of the possible links between Iranian banks Melli and Mellat, including their branches and subsidiaries abroad, and activities contributing to proliferation sensitive activities in Iran; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: I have been asked to reply.
	Banks Melli and Saderat, rather than Melli and Mellat, are mentioned in the text of UN Security Council Resolution 1803.
	The UK shares the concerns of the UN Security Council about bank Melli's and bank Saderat's links to the Iranian nuclear and missile programmes. The Security Council has called upon all states to exercise vigilance over the banks to prevent Iran from proliferating nuclear sensitive material. The UK continues to monitor banks Melli and Saderat in accordance with its international commitments.

Israel: Official Visits

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the seminar on stem cell research being organised by the British Embassy in Israel on 26 and 27 March 2008 will cost; who has been invited to  (a) speak and  (b) attend; what criteria were used in selecting speakers for this seminar; whether speakers at the seminar will be paid (i) travelling expenses, (ii) travel time, (iii) accommodation expenses and (iv) a speaker's fee; if he will place in the Library material produced for the seminar by the British Embassy; how many staff in the British Embassy will (A) attend and (B) participate; how much was spent on advertising this seminar; whether there are any restrictions on those persons wishing to attend this seminar; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: The seminar is entitled Stem Cell ResearchSocial and Ethical issues and has a budget of 15,500. Our Embassy in Tel Aviv has invited Dr. Lyle Armstrong, Sir Martin Evans (not yet confirmed), Dr. Chris Mason, the noble Lord Patel and Professor Andrew Webster to speak at the seminar. Researchers and students in the biomedical areas, clinicians, physicians, regulators, philosophers and the general public will be invited to attend.
	In order to select speakers our Embassy consulted the following stakeholders:
	Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Science and Innovation Group);
	The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority;
	Sciencewise;
	UK Stem Cell Network; and
	Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.
	Speakers will be paid travelling and accommodation expenses. Speakers will not be paid for travel time or a fee. A report on the seminar will be written and placed in the Library of the House.
	Two officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv will attend as participants. No funds have been spent on advertising and there are no restrictions on who can attend the seminarit is open to all.

Kenya: Politics and Government

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the power-sharing agreement brokered in Kenya; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: We welcome the power-sharing agreement signed by President Kibaki and Raila Odinga on 28 February 2008. We consider that it provides a strong foundation on which to bring Kenya back to the path to prosperity, democracy and stability. The imperative is for Kenya's leaders to implement the agreement in full and to build up a sense of national reconciliation. The UK is committed to supporting Kenya and its people in doing so.
	I am placing copies of the documents in the Library of the House.

Kenya: Politics and Government

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what follow-up mechanisms have been agreed for the implementation of the agreement of the principles of partnership of the coalition government in Kenya; and what role the UK will play in those mechanisms.

David Miliband: In order to implement their power-sharing agreement, Kenya's leaders are committed to a number of important new mechanisms. These include both transitional constitutional arrangements, such as the office of Prime Minister, and others such as a Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission, a Commission of Enquiry on Post Election Violence and an independent Review Committee on the 2007 elections. The international community, including the UK, strongly supports the terms of the agreement as the basis on which Kenya can return to the path of prosperity, democracy, and stability. We are committed to lending our support to the development of robust mechanisms to deliver reconciliation and reform.

Pakistan: Diplomatic Service

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK diplomats and civil servants are working in  (a) Pakistan and  (b) Japan.

Meg Munn: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office currently employs 128 UK civil servants (from both the diplomatic and home civil service) at its posts in Pakistan and 41 in Japan.

Public Access

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements are in place for members of the public to visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; and on how many occasions in the last 12 months such visits took place.

Meg Munn: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) participates each year in Open House London Weekend, organised by the Open House architectural and educational charity. The Historic Fine Rooms are open to the public throughout the weekend from 10 am to 5 pm. No advance booking is necessary and there are no restrictions on numbers.
	In 2007, Open House London Weekend took place on 15 to 16 September, where almost 7,000 people visited the FCO.
	The FCO also manages an informal programme of guided tours for members of accredited societies and organisations. These tours are carried out by volunteer members of staff in addition to their existing roles. Given this, and that the Fine Rooms are in continual official use, opportunities for these tours are limited. During the last 12 months, we offered 25 such tours. As there is now a three year waiting list, we have temporarily suspended further bookings.

Somalia: Armed Conflict

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the alleged US bombing of Dhoble in Somalia; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: We have received no further reports of this incident. Government policy towards Somalia will continue, together with the international community, to work for improvements in the inter-linked political, security and humanitarian tracks.

Somalia: Peacekeeping Operations

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made towards the full deployment of the African Union mission to Somalia; and what assessment has been made of the impact that the deployment has had on the security situation in the country.

Meg Munn: The African Union mission to Somalia currently consists of approximately 1,600 Ugandan troops and 300 Burundian troops. The Burundians are bringing their contingent up to one full battalion and have committed a further battalion, which they intend to deploy within the next few months once it is fully equipped. Nigeria is due to send an advance reconnaissance party to Somalia during March to prepare for their deployment of one battalion.
	The additional troops will take the total strength of the African Union mission to approximately 4,000, enabling the mission to expand operations to a larger area of Mogadishu.
	The mission has contributed to the security of Mogadishu by patrolling parts of the city and securing the airport, sea port and the President's residence (Villa Somalia). It has also provided a valuable contribution to the provision of humanitarian assistance.

Somalia: Police

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on UK and EU support for the UN Rule of Law programme for training Somalian civilian police officers; and how many Somalian police officers have been trained as a result of this programme.

Meg Munn: Between 2006 and 2008, the UK, through the Department for International Development (DfID), has committed 6 million to the UN Development Programme Rule of Law and Security Programme for Somalia, including Somaliland. DfID funds, together with those of the European Commission and the Governments of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Italy and the US, support five programme areas: Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration; Law Enforcement; Strengthening of the Judiciary; Gender and Human Rights; and Mine Action.
	The Law Enforcement component of the programme has trained 3,410 police officers. Of these, 2,410 are deployed in South-Central Somalia and Puntland and 1,000 are deployed in Somaliland.

Sudan: Arms Control

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment has been made of regional compliance with the UN arms embargo on Darfur; and whether plans are being considered to extend the embargo to the whole of Sudan.

Meg Munn: The UN Panel of Experts, established by UN Security Council Resolution 1591, is responsible for monitoring the arms embargo on Darfur. In its latest report, published on 3 October 2007, the panel established that violations of the arms embargo continued, both by the Government of Sudan and non-state armed groups, during the period of the report, from 29 September 2006 to 29 August 2007. The panel reported that weapons, specifically heavy weapons (artillery pieces), small arms, ammunition and other military equipment were entering the Darfur states in breach of the embargo from several countries including regional neighbours.
	The UK proposed in the UN Sanctions Committee of 6 November 2007 to extend its arms embargo on Darfur to all of Sudan, but not all Security Council members agree. We will continue to press for an extension of the arms embargo. The EU has implemented an arms embargo on the whole of Sudan via Common Position 2005/411/CFSP, adopted 30 May 2005.

Sudan: Peacekeeping Operations

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what grounds troop contributions to UNAMID from  (a) Norway and  (b) Sweden were refused by the government of Sudan; and whether any other contributions from countries on the list sent by the United Nations and the African Union to the government of Sudan in October 2007 have been rejected.

Meg Munn: Sweden and Norway announced in a joint press statement on 9 January 2008 that they were withdrawing their offer to provide a 350 strong engineering battalion to the UN-African Union (AU) Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) because of Sudan's continued refusal to accept the offer.
	The Government of Sudan have not provided a formal reply to the list of troop contributing countries that the AU and the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations agreed last autumn, including any specific grounds for refusing the offers from Sweden and Norway. More generally, the Government of Sudan have said there is no need for non-African troop contributions in UNAMID on the grounds that African countries have offered sufficient contributions. Discussions on deployment continue between the UN, AU and the Government of Sudan.

Sudan: Peacekeeping Operations

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in appointing a Joint United Nations-African Union Chief Mediator for Darfur; what the mandate of the envoy will be; and when he or she is expected to be in post.

Meg Munn: We understand that discussions are continuing between the UN and African Union (AU) on the appointment of a Joint UN-AU Chief Mediator who would work to the AU and UN Special Envoys for the Darfur Political Process, Mr. Jan Eliasson and Mr. Salim Salim. Until a Joint Chief Mediator is in place, the current AU and UN negotiators remain in place, working to the Special Envoys.

Zimbabwe: EC External Relations

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress made in securing the appointment of an EU envoy to Zimbabwe.

Meg Munn: holding answer 10 March 2008
	At the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council on 15 October 2007, Foreign Ministers agreed to appoint an envoy to investigate and report back on the situation in Zimbabwe. The envoy was subsequently appointed., and has since conducted a fact-finding visit to the African Union in Addis Ababa and the Southern African region, and delivered a report to the EU on the situation.

Zimbabwe: Elections

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what provisions are in place for international monitoring of the 29 March elections in Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: holding answer 10 March 2008
	International monitoring of the forthcoming Zimbabwean elections will play a key role in determining whether they meet international norms and standards, including the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, and the Southern African Development Community principles and guidelines concerning elections, to which Zimbabwe is a signatory. The Government of Zimbabwe have stated that organisations may only observe the elections by invitation. A number of organisations, including the Southern African Development Community governments, have been invited to send observation teams. Regrettably, invitations have not been extended to a number of countries and a range of major democratic institutions, including the EU. We are concerned that this will constrain the ability of the international community to assess the conduct and outcome of the elections.

Zimbabwe: Politics and Government

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 29 January 2008,  Official Report, column 226W, on Zimbabwe: Politics and Government, whether he has made proposals to members of the South African Development Community Initiative to take forward the mediation between the Government and Opposition parties in Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: Our high commissions and embassies in the region are in regular contact with members of the Southern African Development Community. They urge them particularly to use what influence they have to ensure the forthcoming elections in Zimbabwe meet international standards, including the Southern African Development Community guidelines and principles on elections.

Zimbabwe: Sanctions

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans there are to extend the EU travel ban and assets freeze to the families of the 130 Zimbabweans currently listed under the EU's Common Position; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: holding answer 10 March 2008
	Family members of the 131 persons currently on the EU Common Position are not included unless they have positions within the elite of the Mugabe regime in Zimbabwe in their own right. If we are made aware of information which suggests family members are either personally culpable of specific abuses or are using their position to circumvent the assets freeze under the EU Common Position, we will act on those reports and if necessary suggest those persons be targeted under the EU Common Position.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Asylum

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) asylum claimants and  (b) dependants of asylum claimants were granted leave to remain in the October 2003 family indefinite leave to remain exercise; which 40 nationalities received the most grants of indefinite leave to remain; and when the final grants were made to conclude the exercise.  [Official Report, 13 June 2008, Vol. 477, c. 6MC.]

Liam Byrne: Information on asylum claimants who were granted leave to remain under the 2003 family indefinite leave to remain exercise is available from the annual Statistical Bulletin Asylum Statistics United Kingdom. Copies of these publications are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics website at
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html
	Information on the dependants of asylum claimants who were granted leave to remain under the 2003 family indefinite leave to remain exercise is not available and could only be obtained by examination of individual case records at disproportionate cost.
	Information on the 40 nationalities that received the most grants of indefinite leave to remain is in the following table.
	The Border and Immigration Agency is no longer reporting on the performance of the Family ILR exercise. The small number of remaining cases are being processed with other legacy cases, not as a separate workstream, and will be reported on as part of normal business.
	
		
			  Grants of ILR issued under the Family ILR exercise as at 7 December 2007( 1,2,3) , excluding dependants 
			  Country of nationality  Total 
			 Serbia and Montenegro 3,960 
			 Sri Lanka 1,965 
			 Turkey 1,775 
			 Pakistan 1,245 
			 Nigeria 1,175 
			 Dem. Rep. Congo 955 
			 Colombia 720 
			 Afghanistan 710 
			 Kenya 700 
			 Ecuador 685 
			 Ghana 620 
			 Somalia 600 
			 Poland 580 
			 China 570 
			 Iran 470 
			 Sierra Leone 415 
			 India 395 
			 Lithuania 380 
			 Uganda 375 
			 Croatia 360 
			 Angola 345 
			 Albania 345 
			 Iraq 295 
			 Algeria 270 
			 Czech Republic 255 
			 Ukraine 250 
			 Bangladesh 235 
			 Rwanda 230 
			 Ivory Coast 220 
			 Tanzania 210 
			 Romania 190 
			 Congo 170 
			 Eritrea 165 
			 Burundi 160 
			 Russia 155 
			 Zimbabwe 155 
			 Palestinian Authority 155 
			 Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus 155 
			 Jamaica 140 
			 Cameroon 135 
			 Other nationalities 1,975 
			 Grand total 24,875 
			 (1) Figures are rounded to the nearest five, and may not sum to the total shown due to rounding. (2) Main asylum applicants. (3) This information is based on internal management information and therefore provisional.

Asylum

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 16 January 2008,  Official Report, column 1298W, on asylum, which countries are included in the category Americas other in the breakdown by nationality of the grants of leave to remain under the 2003 family indefinite leave to remain exercise; and if she will break down by nationality the number in the Americas other category.

Liam Byrne: The requested information is contained in the table.
	Copies of asylum statistics publications are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html
	
		
			  Grants of ILR issued under the Family ILR exercise as at 7 December 2007, excluding dependants, for specified nationalities( 1,2,3,4) 
			  Country of nationality  Total 
			  Americas other  
			 Bolivia 25 
			 Brazil 25 
			 Chile 10 
			 Cuba 5 
			 Grenada * 
			 Guyana 10 
			 Honduras * 
			 Nicaragua * 
			 Peru 20 
			 St. Vincent and the Grenadines * 
			 St. Lucia 5 
			 Trinidad And Tobago 5 
			 Venezuela 10 
			 Total Americas other 115 
			 * = 1 or 2. (1) Provisional figures rounded to the nearest 5. (2) Main asylum applicants. (3) This information is based on internal management information. (4) Nationality recorded as at 7 December 2007 is not necessarily the applicant's nationality at the time of grant of ILR.

Asylum: Palliative Care

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what account she takes of whether overstayers without leave to remain are terminally ill and receiving life-sustaining hospital care in deciding whether they should be removed from the country.

Liam Byrne: When considering removal the Border and Immigration Agency examines with great care each individual case considering any serious medical conditions or other compassionate circumstances. The Border and Immigration Agency also takes into account an individual's fitness to travel and whether the necessary medical treatment is available in the country to which they are returning.

Border and Immigration Agency: Advertising

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the  (a) objectives and  (b) costs are of the Border and Immigration Agency's advertising campaign on the new immigration arrangements.

Liam Byrne: The first wave of the points based system advertising is targeting employers to make them aware of the new immigration controls and to allow them sufficient notice to prepare their business for the introduction of these controls later in the year. The current advertising is appearing online and in the press, radio, and trade press and directs employers to the Border and Immigration Agency website for more detailed information.
	A budget of 1.5 million was made available to support this wave of campaign activity.

Crime: Drugs

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 7 February 2008,  Official Report, column 1388W, on Crime: Drugs, if she will break down the figures for the amounts of class A drugs seized in the UK by the Serious and Organised Crime Agency in 2006-07 to provide information on a comparable basis to those reported by the Concerted Inter-Agency Drug Action Group for 2005-06.

Vernon Coaker: SOCA reports the full details of drug interdictions flowing from its work. CIDA applied a different methodology to its reporting. It is not possible to draw comparisons between those figures and the figures provided on 7 February 2008,  Official Report, column 1388W.

Crimes of Violence: Greater London

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many violent crimes were recorded in each London borough in each of the last 10 years.

Tony McNulty: A number of changes have been made to recorded crime in response to suggestions in the two reviews of crime statistics. One such change is that the term 'violent crime' is no longer used in connection with the recorded crime statistics and we now provide figures for violence against the person.
	Violence against the person figures for London boroughs are available from 1999-2000 and are given in the following tables.
	
		
			  Table 1: violence against the person offences recorded by the police in London boroughs, 1999-2000 to 2001-02( 1) 
			  Number of offences 
			  London borough  1999-2000  2000-01  2001-02 
			 Barking and Dagenham 3,210 3,604 3,941 
			 Barnet 4,244 4,574 4,842 
			 Bexley 3,151 3,209 3,339 
			 Brent 5,407 5,775 5,688 
			 Bromley 3,224 3,800 3,843 
			 Camden 5,342 5,327 5,473 
			 City of Westminster 7,396 8,483 8,734 
			 Croydon 5,880 6,327 6,206 
			 Ealing 6,652 6,430 6,842 
			 Enfield 4,040 4,798 5,077 
			 Greenwich 6,234 6,308 6,257 
			 Hackney 6,655 6,320 6,702 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 4,683 4,365 4,283 
			 Haringey 4,874 5,202 5,088 
			 Harrow 2,342 2,465 2,658 
			 Havering 2,661 2,787 3,225 
			 Heathrow 355 325 344 
			 Hillingdon 3,713 4,094 4,766 
			 Hounslow 5,200 5,436 5,798 
			 Islington 5,255 5,443 5,667 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 3,294 3,314 3,063 
			 Kingston-upon-Thames 2,422 2,495 2,667 
			 Lambeth 8,244 7,904 8,232 
			 Lewisham 5,051 5,331 5,501 
			 Merton 2,907 2,932 3,153 
			 Newham 7,261 7,344 7,550 
			 Redbridge 3,621 3,753 3,721 
			 Richmond-upon-Thames 2,081 1,991 2,115 
			 Southwark 7,480 7,442 7,760 
			 Sutton 1,109 2,056 2,451 
			 Tower Hamlets 3,850 5,965 6,390 
			 Waltham Forest 4,862 4,804 4,973 
			 Wandsworth 5,012 4,862 5,002 
			 Total 147,712 155,265 161,351 
			 (1) The figures given in this table do not take into account the effects of the National Crime Recording Standard and are therefore not directly comparable with those for later years. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: violence against the person offences recorded by the police in London boroughs2002-03 to 2006-07( 1) 
			  Number of offences 
			  London borough  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 
			 Barking and Dagenham 4,392 4,902 5,224 5,288 5,150 
			 Barnet 5,246 5,817 7,183 6,393 5,512 
			 Bexley 3,555 4,051 4,129 4,373 3,742 
			 Brent 6,297 7,371 9,135 8,253 6,216 
			 Bromley 4,728 5,003 5,762 5,499 5,697 
			 Camden 5,817 6,419 7,656 7,370 6,586 
			 City of Westminster 9,898 9,558 10,454 9,445 8,413 
			 Croydon 7,642 7,944 8,604 7,763 6,741 
			 Ealing 7,143 7,150 8,009 7,878 7,641 
			 Enfield 5,593 5,142 5,190 5,256 5,342 
			 Greenwich 6,892 6,855 7,870 7,713 7,486 
			 Hackney 6,810 7,141 7,288 7,471 7,148 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 4,323 4,287 4,622 5,041 5,054 
			 Haringey 5,446 5,485 6,325 6,921 5,651 
			 Harrow 2,827 2,858 3,041 3,028 2,870 
			 Havering 3,901 3,922 4,191 4,172 3,639 
			 Heathrow 371 351 504 625 524 
			 Hillingdon 4,983 5,222 5,921 6,261 5,911 
			 Hounslow 7,110 6,946 6,772 6,434 5,502 
			 Islington 6,347 6,607 7,617 7,002 6,289 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 3,471 3,378 3,272 3,325 3,597 
			 Kingston-upon-Thames 2,857 3,447 3,520 3,240 3,003 
			 Lambeth 9,151 9,475 9,813 8,991 8,344 
			 Lewisham 5,709 6,664 7,858 8,463 8,062 
			 Merton 3,460 3,615 3,800 3,664 3,361 
			 Newham 8,096 8,210 7,976 8,421 7,578 
			 Redbridge 4,565 4,682 4,690 3,976 4,323 
			 Richmond-upon-Thames 2,547 2,497 2,570 2,345 2,122 
			 Southwark 8,221 8,912 9,338 9,065 8,435 
			 Sutton 3,065 3,214 3,555 3,161 2,989 
			 Tower Hamlets 7,538 7,724 7,895 7,455 7,727 
			 Waltham Forest 5,427 6,002 6,241 6,831 6,052 
			 Wandsworth 5,354 5,336 5,898 6,139 5,647 
			 Total 178,782 186,187 201,923 197,262 182,354 
			 (1) The figures given in this table take into account the effects of the National Crime Recording Standard are therefore not directly comparable with those for earlier years.

Departmental Disciplinary Proceedings

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of her Department's civil servants have been  (a) suspended and  (b) dismissed for accessing (i) obscene and (ii) other prohibited material on work computers in each of the last five years.

Liam Byrne: Information on suspensions and dismissals is not recorded centrally to the level of detail requested or is only available for part of the period requested.
	During the period 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2007, six members of staff within Home Office headquarters and the Border and Immigration Agency were dismissed under the broad category of IT abuse. This includes any misuse of IT including of internal e-mail. Detailed information on suspensions is not recorded centrally within Home Office HQ or BIA and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.
	During the period 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2007, fewer than five members of staff within the Identity and Passport Service were suspended or dismissed for IT abuse. There were no reported cases in the Criminal Records Bureau.
	As fewer than five people were dismissed within Home Office HQ or its agencies in each year, a further breakdown of the information would breach confidentiality.

Departmental Private Finance Initiative

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what private finance initiative projects have been approved by her Department in each of the last three financial years, broken down by  (a) value and  (b) start date.

Liam Byrne: The capital value and start date for every signed PFI project are recorded centrally on the Treasury's website at:
	http://www.hmtreasury.gov.uk/documents/public_private_partnerships/ppp_pfi_stats.cfm

Detention Centres: Health Services

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will provide for a representative of the Medical Justice Network to have observer status on the Border and Immigration Agency clinical governance committee which oversees the standards of healthcare in detention centres; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The clinical governance group for immigration removal centres was set up in 2006 to provide an internal forum for Border and Immigration Agency and Department of Health officials to discuss health matters relating to immigration detainees and to manage any resulting work. There are no current plans to widen membership of the group, on an observer basis or otherwise. The appropriate forum for external groups to raise health issues relating to detainees is the Border and Immigration Agency's Detention User Group, of which the Medical Justice Network is a member.

Drugs: Crime

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government have taken to inform the public of the harmful effects of illegal drugs.

Vernon Coaker: holding answer 6 March 2008
	The Home Office is jointly responsible with the Department of Health and Department for Children, Schools and Families for the management of the FRANK drug awareness campaign.
	Since May 2003, FRANK used a range of advertising and marketing elements to convey the dangers and risks associated with drugs to young people and their parents and carers. FRANK is there for anyone to call 24 hours a day who has questions or concerns about drugs and the helpline advisers can signpost callers to local services.
	The new Drug Strategy launched on 27 February will continue to send out clear messages about the damaging consequences of drug misuse. Key actions will involve extending the FRANK campaign to provide access to support and interventions, supporting local campaigns and school-based education and targeting key groups, improving support and information to parents and developing better community based communications to build community confidence and engagement on tackling drug misuse.

Flags

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many EU flags are  (a) held and  (b) owned by her Department and its agencies.

Liam Byrne: My Department has an EU flag at its Marsham street headquarters building in central London. Information about EU flags held or owned across the rest of the Department is not held centrally.

Forced Marriage

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans she has to introduce accredited training in respect of people in the criminal justice system dealing with cases of forced marriage.

Tony McNulty: The Initial Police Learning and Development Programme administered by the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) covers the police response to planned forced marriages, within the wider training material on domestic violence and child abuse.
	Police officers also receive additional training on domestic violence and the NPIA are, in conjunction with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), currently considering the development of forced marriage and honour-based violence training, although its use by the police service is optional. There are no immediate plans to accredit this learning.
	In July 2007, a pilot on forced marriage/so-called honour-based violence commenced in four CPS which will aim to establish information about the prevalence of forced marriage and to inform the development of any national guidance and training for prosecutors to improve these prosecutions and increase support for victims. A final report on the pilot is due in summer 2008.
	In relation to the judiciary, a programme of work being planned prior to the implementation of the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 will include the development of the necessary court rules and forms, the setting up of the appropriate court processing systems, guidance developed for staff and judicial training undertaken.

Foreign Workers: Restaurants

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the likely effects of a points-based immigration system on recruitment in the restaurant industry.

Liam Byrne: Under the new points-based system (PBS) employers, including those in the restaurant industry, will be able to recruit skilled workers that meet the criteria of tier 2 of the PBS.
	The Migration Advisory Committee will provide advice to government on specific sectors and occupations in the labour market where shortages exist which can sensibly be filled by migration. Migrants wishing to work in these shortage occupations will receive extra points under tier 2.
	While tier 3 of the PBS is for low skilled workers, this tier is suspended for the foreseeable future in light of the available labour force within the enlarged European Union.
	An impact assessment of tier 2 will be published prior to the launch of this tier.

Frontiers: Security

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the decision was taken to include a 92 million addendum within the eBorders contract.

Liam Byrne: The decision to procure the additional functionality, covered by the addendum referred to above, and which forms part of the main e-Borders contract, was made in Summer 2007. Funding was agreed after the Prime Minister's statement on 25 July 2007 concerning security and counter terrorism.

Frontiers: Security

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what extended  (a) functionality and  (b) services will be provided by the 92 million addendum to the Government's e-Borders programme.

Liam Byrne: The addendum to the e-Borders contract will provide additional functionality to enable the agencies to:
	capture Other Passenger Information (OPI) relating to 100 million passenger journeys per year;
	perform sophisticated analysis (data mining) on the data held in the e-Borders database;
	develop and run profiles against the passenger data that is received and held in the system; and
	capture Domestic Travel Information (DTI) for all passengers travelling between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, subject to the implementation of Section 14 of the Police  Justice Act 2006.

Identity Fraud

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Hillsborough of 25 February 2008,  Official Report, column 1243W, on identity fraud, if she will break down by sub-heading the estimated figure of 1.7 billion.

Vernon Coaker: The following table gives a breakdown of the 1.7 billion figure. This was placed in the House Library on 2 February 2006 and is also available online at:
	http://www.identitytheft.org.uk/IDpercent20fraudpercent20table.pdf
	
		
			  Updated estimate of the cost of identity fraud to the UK economy2 February 2006 
			  Dept/Organisation  Cost of identity fraud  Notes 
			 Association of British Insurers 22 million A number of insurers (representing approx 36 per cent. of the industry) estimated that their financial loss in 2003 due to identity fraud was 7.9 million, which translates to 22 million for the industry as a whole. 
			 APACS, the UK Payments Association 504.8 million Losses resulting from plastic cards being used by criminals pretending to be the rightful owner or by criminals using a fictitious identity. 
			   This figure comprises: 
			   (i) Counterfeit (skimmed/cloned) cards129.7 million 
			   (ii) Cards lost or stolen114.4 million 
			   (iii) Card not present150.8 million 
			   (iv) Mail non-receipt72.9 million 
			   (v) Fraudulent applications13.1 million 
			   (vi) Account takeover23.8 million 
			 Audit Commission 15 million Audit Commission not included in 2002 Study. 
			   Estimate of loss to pensions schemes due to identity fraud (extrapolated from Audit Commission National Fraud Initiative figures). 
			 British Bankers' Association Figures for card fraud included in APACS totals The BBA does not collect statistics on identity fraud. Figures from its members for card fraud are included in the APACS figures. 
			 Building Societies' Association 3.1 million A number of building societies representing just over 50 per cent. of the industry responded to a survey and estimated their financial loss due to ID fraud. The BSA extrapolated figures for the sector as a whole and estimate that this translates to approximately 3.1 million losses due to ID fraud over the past year. 
			 CIFASThe UK's Fraud Prevention Service 2.3 million This represents the cost of identity fraud to the retail sector. 
			   CIFAS figures have only been included with respect to the retail sector. This avoids double-counting on contributions made by other sectors directly. 
			 Department for Constitutional Affairs 29.9 million Unpaid fines due to tracking problemsthis is due to a number of reasons including false information being provided to the police. 
			  5.9 million Unpaid fines due to identity problemsi.e. many people issued with fines do not turn up at courts to verify their alleged name and address. Given this, courts find it difficult to enforce the payment of a fine because they are not certain the identity on the fine is a true identity (many fines get issued to fictitious identities or identities with inaccurate spellings). 
			 Department for Work and Pensions 20 million DWP estimates that 20m-50m of benefit fraud arises as a result of identity fraud (i.e. claiming benefit in false identities). 
			 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency 2.5 million Estimated cost of operational activity required to help prevent abuse of the driving licence in identity crime. 
			 Driving Standards Agency 1.12 million Estimated costs of ensuring that DSA is satisfied as to the identity of candidates presenting for theory and practical tests. The resultant enforcement activity in preventing and detecting impersonations, ensuring that only those entitled can hold driving licences reducing the ability to commit identity fraud. 
			 Finance and Leasing Association 14 million FLA not included in 2002 study. 
			   This figure relates to identity fraud arising from the provision of motor finance by FLA members. 
			 HM Revenue and Customs  Indirect taxation:  
			  215 million (MTIC fraud) It is not possible to determine if the scale of this problem has changed since 2002. The figure from the original study has been included for illustrative purposes to help estimate any comparative changes to the overall cost of identity fraud since 2002. 
			   Direct taxation:  
			  2.7 million  Tax Credits 
			   HMRC has identified a number of fraudulent and potentially fraudulent tax credit claims based on false and stolen identities. 
			   Some 6,800 fraudulent claims have been identified based on stolen DWP staff identities, of which 4,100 were fully intercepted by HMRC before any payment. The loss from this fraud is estimated at 2.7 million. 
			   HMRC is currently subjecting around 30,000 potentially fraudulent tax credit claims to detailed investigation including claims based on the stolen DWP staff identities and on stolen Network Rail staff identities. It is too early to estimate the loss from this fraud. 
			Child Benefit 
			   HMRC has experienced a small number of attempts to defraud the Child Benefit system by the use of false documents. These attempts have been successfully detected and it believes the risk of identity fraud to be minimal. 
			 Home Office (Immigration and Nationality Directorate) 56.2 million Approximate cost to IND of undertaking enforcement activity against individuals who may be involved in some form of identity theft or identity fraud, potentially involving document abuse. 
			 Local authorities 28,564 From an online poll of its members, LAIOG identified that 28,564 was specifically due to identity fraud. However, most LAIOG members contacted stated that as identity fraud was usually part of a larger fraud, it would not necessarily be recorded. 
			 Money laundering 395 million The overall size of money laundered in the UK is not known currently but is believed to be substantial. This cannot be attributed to any single organisation. 
			   No figures are available currently on the proportion of money laundering that relies on identity fraud. It is not possible to determine if the scale of this problem has changed since 2002. The figure from the original study has been included for illustrative purposes to help estimate any comparative changes to the overall cost of identity fraud since 2002. 
			 Police Service 1.73 million It is not possible to estimate the overall cost of identity fraud to the Police Service. However, figures show that last year Police Forces in England and Wales spent 15,000 to 20,000 days dealing with bogus callersa crime that relies heavily on false identities. Cost of 1.73 million is based on police forces in England and Wales spending 17,500 days (midpoint of 15,000-20,000 days) at a daily cost of 99.19 (made up of 82.19 per day per officer and support costs of 17.00 per day per officer) to deal with bogus callers. 
			 Telecommunications 372 million Telecoms not included in 2002 study. 
			   The cost of identity-related fraud is a substantial component of the total fraud/revenue loss in the telecoms sector. 
			 UK Passport Service 62.8 million The cost to UKPS of measures to counter identity fraud when processing applications for UK passports issued in the UK. 
			 Total 1.72 billion

Illegal Immigrants

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the average cost to the public purse of deporting  (a) an illegal immigrant and  (b) a foreign prisoner with a recommendation for deportation in the last 12 months;
	(2)  how much has been spent on deporting  (a) illegal immigrants and  (b) foreign prisoners in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: The average cost of the removal of illegal immigrants and foreign prisoners is not disaggregated from the overall costs of the Border and Immigration Agency and therefore not readily available.
	In 2007 we removed one person every eight minutes (over 63,000), including a record number of foreign prisoners (over 4,200).
	Voluntary returns are always preferable but we will enforce returns where necessary. In doing so, we aim for the lowest available costs. The National Audit Office in 2005-06 estimated the average cost of an enforced removal as 11,000. The report can be accessed at:
	http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/nao_reports/05-06/050676.pdf
	We are committed to doubling our enforcement activity by 2010. This includes increasing the number of removals.
	Latest published statistics on the total spend in the Home Office are set out in the Home Office Report a copy of which has been placed in both Houses. It is also available to view at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/ho-annual-report-07?view=Binary

Immigration: Detention Centres

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent steps her Department has taken to increase capacity in the immigration detention and removal estate; what the planned capacity of the estate is for  (a) 2009,  (b) 2010,  (c) 2011,  (d) 2012 and  (e) 2013; and what discussions she has had with (i) the Secretary of State for Justice, (ii) HM Prison Service, (iii) other Government departments, (iv) local authorities and (v) private sector representatives on the acquisition of new sites for the estate.

Liam Byrne: As I said in January, we will publish proposals during the course of 2008.

Immigration: Foreign Workers

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of Iraqi citizens of Kurdish ethnicity employed by the Ministry of Defence in Iraq have applied for indefinite leave to enter the UK on an exceptional basis outside the immigration regulations.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 6 March 2008
	 The proportion of Iraqi citizens of Kurdish ethnicity employed by the Ministry of Defence in Iraq, who have applied for indefinite leave to enter the UK on an exceptional basis outside the immigration rules, is not known.

Members: Correspondence

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she will answer question 172525 tabled by the hon. Member for Southend West on 4 December 2007; what the reason is for the time taken to answer; and if she will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 28 January 2008
	I replied to the hon. Member on 18 February 2008,  Official Report , column 429W. The Department makes every effort to answer Members' questions within the time scales set. However, this is not always possible.

Members: Correspondence

Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire, dated 7 January, transferred from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP reference: NEWCASE/410308), about a points-based system for chefs applying for work permits to work in UK restaurants.

Liam Byrne: I replied to the hon. Member on 10 March 2008.

Migrant Workers: EC Enlargement

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many accession workers cards were issued to  (a) Romanians and  (b) Bulgarians in 2007.

Liam Byrne: The information is as follows.
	 (a) 2,135 accession worker cards were issued to Romanian nationals in 2007.
	 (b) 1,580 accession worker cards were issued to Bulgarian nationals in 2007.
	The data are based on management information, are provisional and may be subject to change. The data are not National Statistics.
	The Government publish quarterly figures on applications under the Accession (Immigration and Worker Authorisation) Regulations 2006 from Bulgarian and Romanian nationals. The publications provide a breakdown of the various schemes operating under the regulations.
	The most recent publications, relating to the last quarter of 2007, were published on 26 February 2008. Each of the quarterly reports from 2007 are available on the Border and Immigration website:
	http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/reports/
	Copies are available in the House Library.

Offenders: Deportation

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 18 February 2008,  Official Report, column 453W, on Offenders: Deportation, whether the Government are considering deporting at the start rather than at the completion of a prison sentence for non-UK nationals who are given a custodial sentence.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 26 February 2008
	The chief executive of the Border and Immigration Agency advised the Home Affairs Committee in her letter of 20 November 2007 that the Agency was commencing consideration of the majority of foreign national prisoners 12 months before the earliest date of release however there remain cases where that is not possible such as when individuals receive shorter sentences. A copy of this letter is available in the Library of the House.
	Following a previous decision made by the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal the Border and Immigration Agency is unable to consider a foreign national prisoner for deportation any earlier than 12 to 18 months before their earliest date of release.

Overseas Students: Sponsorship

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what charges there will be to institutions for joining the sponsors register to recruit international students; when the register will be become operational; and when she expects guidance on the accreditation process for membership of the register to be issued.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 6 March 2008
	To join the sponsor register to recruit international students, institutions will need show that they have been inspected or accredited by an appropriate inspection or accreditation body. Full details of our accreditation policy were published on 27 July 2007. The guidance is also available at the following web link:
	http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/managingourborders/pbsdocs/tier4/T4_accreditationqanda.pdf?view=Binary
	and a copy will be placed in the House Library. Institutions will be able to apply for a sponsor licence from the Border and Immigration Agency, in order to sponsor international students, from later this summer.

Police: Information and Communications Technology

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much of the 50 million capital fund for mobile data devices has been spent; and how many devices are in use.

Tony McNulty: The allocation of the 50 million capital funding for the provision of this technology will not be available until the start of 2008-09 financial year.
	The total number of mobile data devices currently in use is not held centrally as this is a matter for individual police forces.
	The Government have, however, already funded a pilot of mobile information systems in six police forces areas and as a result of the pilot the number of hand-held computers in use in these police forces is estimated to have risen from 250 at the end of 2006 to 2,500 at the end of 2007.
	Following my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's announcement to provide the police service with additional hand-held devices, supported by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary's 50 million pledge for this technology in September 2007, we expect the total number of hand-held computers in use by the police service to exceed 10,000 by the end of 2008.
	The National Policing Improvement Agency is working closely with the Association of Police Authorities and the Association of Chief Police Officers on a Mobile Information Programme, and police forces are preparing their applications for funding in 2008-09 financial year in order to progress this initiative.

Prisoners Release

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 7 February 2008,  Official Report, columns 1437-38W, on prisoners' release, how many of the prisoners were deported on their release to  (a) Jamaica,  (b) Nigeria,  (c) Vietnam and  (d) China.

Liam Byrne: The chief executive of the Border and Immigration Agency advised the Home Affairs Committee during her appearance of 15 January that over 4,200 foreign national prisoners had been deported in 2007.
	The information contained in the response provided by the Secretary for Justice to which the hon. Member refers is for 2002 until 2006. Statistics on the deportation of foreign nationals were last published in 2002. Copies of this are available in the Library of the House.
	Published information on persons removed as a result of deportation action has not been available from 2003 onwards due to data quality issues. The Border and Immigration Agency is continuing to put in place new systems to improve its data collection for the future in this area. The chief executive of the Border and Immigration Agency will continue to update the Home Affairs Committee with the most robust and accurate information available as required.

Prisoners: Extradition

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many prisoners at HM Prison Bullingdon have completed their sentences and are awaiting extradition;
	(2)  what the longest period is at HM Prison Bullingdon for which a prisoner who has completed a sentence has been awaiting extradition.

Meg Hillier: On 10 March 2008, there were no prisoners in HMP Bullingdon who had completed a domestic prison sentence and were awaiting extradition.

Prostitution

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the level of the vice trade in Essex in each of the last three years; and if she will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: There is no single definition of a vice-related offence, but there are a number of offences which, in some cases, relate to vice.
	The Home Office collects statistics on notifiable offences recorded by the police. These offences fall into two categoriesthose which are indictable or triable either way, and some closely related summary offences. Table 1 gives the numbers of three of the former offences (trafficking for sexual exploitation, exploitation of prostitution and soliciting of women by men) during the last three years in Essex.
	Other offences, such as kerb crawling, brothel keeping and offences by prostitutes, do not feature in the recorded crime statistics because they are summary offences. However, the Office for Criminal Justice Reform collects information in the court proceedings database which shows the numbers of people proceeded against at magistrates courts, found guilty at all courts and cautioned for a range of sexual offences. This information for Essex is given in Table 2.
	
		
			  Table 1: Selected sexual offences recorded by the police in Essex 
			   Number of offences 
			  Offence  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 
			 Trafficking for sexual exploitation 0 1 1 
			 Exploitation of prostitutes 7 3 13 
			 Soliciting of women by men 5 5 0 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts, found guilty at all courts and offenders cautioned for selected sexual offences, Essex police force area, 2004 to 2006( 1, 2) 
			Proceeded against  Found guilty  Cautioned 
			  Offence description  Principal statute  2004  2005  2006  2004  2005  2006  2004  2005  2006 
			 Procuring female for immoral purposes or using drugs to obtain or facilitate sexual intercourse. Sexual Offences Act 1956 Secs 2, 3, 4, 22 and 23.  
			 Detention of female in brothel or other premises. Sexual Offences Act 1956 Sec 24.  
			 Causing or encouraging prostitution etc. of girl under 16 years. Sexual Offences Act 1956 Sec 28.  
			 Man living on earnings of prostitution or exercising control over prostitute. Woman for purpose of gain, exercising control over prostitute. Sexual Offences Act 1956 Sec 30, Sec 31. 1  1   
			 Procuring, permitting or causing the prostitution etc. of female defective. Sexual Offences Act 1956 Secs 27, 29, 9.  
			 Man or woman living wholly or in part on the earnings of male prostitution. Sexual Offences Act 1967 Sec 5(1).  
			 Causing or inciting prostitution for gain. Sexual Offences Act 2003 S.52  
			 Controlling a prostitute for gain. Sexual Offences Act 2003 S.53  
			 Keeping a brothel used for prostitution Sexual Offences Act 1956 S.33A as added by Sexual Offences Act 2003 S.55 5 
			 Arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence. Sexual Offences Act 2003 S14   2   
			 Paying for sex with a female child under 16no penetration+B346 Sexual Offences Act 2003 S.47(1,2,4b)  
			 Paying for sex with a male child under 16no penetration Sexual Offences Act 2003 S.47(1,2,4b)  
			 Paying for sex with a male child 16 or 17 Sexual Offences Act 2003 S.47(1 a,b,ci,2,5)  
			 Causing or inciting child prostitution or pornographychild 13 to 17 Sexual Offences Act 2003 S.48(1a,bi,2) 1 
			 Controlling a child prostitute or a child involved in pornographychild 13 to 17 Sexual Offences Act 2003 S.49(1a,bi,2)  
			 Arranging or facilitating child prostitution or pornographychild 13 to 17 Sexual Offences Act 2003 S.50(1a,bi,2)  
			 Causing or inciting child prostitution or pornographychild under 13 Sexual Offences Act 2003 S.48(1a,bii,2)  
			 Paying for sex with a female child under 16penetration Sexual Offences Act 2003 S.47(1a,b,ci,2,4a,6)  
			 Arrange/facilitate arrival into the UK of a person for sexual exploitation (trafficking) Sexual Offences Act 2003 S.57  
			 Arrange/facilitate travel within the UK of a person for sexual exploitation (Trafficking) Sexual Offences Act 2003 S.58  
			 Committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence Sexual Offences Act 2003 S.62 2  2   
			 Kerb-crawling. Sexual Offences Act 1985 Sec 1.  1   1 
			 Persistent soliciting of women for the purpose of prostitution. Sexual Offences Act 1985 Sec 2.   1 1  
			 Placing an advertisement relating to prostitution. Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 S.46.  
			 Offences by prostitutes, common prostitute behaving in a riotous and indecent manner in a public place. Vagrancy Act 1824 Sec 3.  
			 Offences by prostitutes: Second conviction as an idle and disorderly person. Vagrancy Act 1824 Sec 4.  
			 Common prostitute loitering or soliciting for the purpose of prostitution. Street Offences Act 1959 Sec 1. 7 5 1 7 4 1
			  Total 11 6 5 7 5 1 2 1 5 
			 (1) These data are provided on the principal offence basis (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.

Resettlement: Iraq

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what security vetting is given to dependents of Iraqi citizens formerly employed by the Ministry of Defence and resettled in the UK.

Liam Byrne: Iraqi citizens who were formerly employed by the Ministry of Defence, and any family members, who are seeking resettlement to the UK are subject to screening by the Border and Immigration Agency. This includes checks to identify and deny entry to any individuals who may present a threat to the UK or whose presence here would be undesirable.

Resettlement: Iraq

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Iraqi citizens formerly employed by the Ministry of Defence have been granted leave to settle in the UK on an exceptional basis outside the immigration rules.

Liam Byrne: To date no Iraqi citizens formerly employed by the Ministry of Defence have been granted indefinite leave to enter in the UK on an exceptional basis outside of the immigration rules in accordance with the assistance available to locally engaged Iraqi staff who were serving on or after 8 August 2007.

Resettlement: Iraq

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Iraqi citizens currently employed by the Ministry of Defence have had an application for indefinite leave to enter on an exceptional basis outside the immigration rules rejected.

Liam Byrne: As of 25 February no locally engaged staff seeking indefinite leave to enter from Iraq have yet submitted an application for entry clearance to UKvisas.

Resettlement: Iraq

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Iraqi citizens formerly employed by the Ministry of Defence have had an application for indefinite leave to enter on an exceptional basis outside the Immigration Rules rejected.

Liam Byrne: As of 25 February no eligible staff have submitted an application for entry clearance to UKvisas although seven have expressed an interest in the scheme.

Resettlement: Iraq

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the reception and integration package given to Iraqi citizens formerly employed by the Ministry of Defence when they arrive in the UK for resettlement consists of.

Liam Byrne: We will offer a comprehensive resettlement package to those Iraqi citizens and their dependants who meet the eligibility criteria and who are successfully resettled under the scheme of assistance for Locally Engaged staff formerly employed by the Ministry of Defence, when they arrive in the UK. It will consist of an initial reception and orientation process immediately on arrival followed by an integration package which will include assistance with housing, health care, education, casework support and sign posting to the relevant agencies.

Resettlement: Iraq

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost of assisting the transportation of Iraqi staff and dependants who received leave to enter on an exceptional basis outside the Immigration Rules has been in 2007-08 to date.

Liam Byrne: To date no costs for transportation have been incurred.

Security: Liverpool Airport

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department has spent on security at Liverpool John Lennon Airport since 2002.

Tony McNulty: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, as regulator, sets the minimum security requirements that industry must implement. At local level, the security of an airport, and the related costs, are for the airport operator, police and other security stakeholders to decide based on the threats and risks at that particular airport. The Home Office has therefore not directly spent any money on airport security at Liverpool John Lennon Airport since 2002.

Serious Organised Crime Agency

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have been brought following investigations by the e-crime unit in the Serious and Organised Crime Agency.

Jacqui Smith: Since April 2006, SOCA e-crime has concluded nine operations and passed papers to prosecutors in this country and abroad. To date, these have resulted in the conviction of 15 individuals.

Serious Organised Crime Agency

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases the Serious and Organised Crime Agency has passed to the Assets Recovery Agency since 1 April 2007.

Jacqui Smith: SOCA has referred two cases to ARA since 1 April 2007.

Serious Organised Crime Agency

Fraser Kemp: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Serious and Organised Crime Agency.

Vernon Coaker: Home Office Ministers have regular meetings with the chair and the director-general of the Serious Organised Crime Agency.
	SOCA's achievements in its first year of operation are set out in its annual report for 2006-07 published on 18 May 2007 and placed in the House Library.
	SOCA also appeared before a Home Affairs Select Committee on 29 January 2008 where it answered a number of questions about its effectiveness.

Serious Organised Crime Agency: Finance

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much the Serious and Organised Crime Agency spent in 2006-07 on expanding covert intelligence gathering capabilities.

Jacqui Smith: SOCA invests in covert intelligence gathering capabilities to sustain its own activity and in support of wider law enforcement. The scale of this investment is sensitive, since it is indicative of SOCA's capabilities and capacity, knowledge of which may offer an advantage to serious organised criminals.

Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which  (a) statutory instruments,  (b) departmental circulars and  (c) other documents she issued consequential on the provisions of section 128 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 in each year since the Act came into force; and how many she plans to issue in the next 12 months.

Vernon Coaker: On 20 March 2007 SI 2007 No. 930 was made by my hon. Friend the Minister of State at the Home Office designating 16 royal, Government and parliamentary sites. A factual inaccuracy in this statutory instrument was amended by SI 2007 No. 1387 which was made on 2 May 2007. Both these statutory instruments came into force on 1 June 2007. On 22 May 2007 a Home Office circular (No. 18/2007) was issued giving advice to police forces on the operation of the offence at these 16 sites. No other documents have been issued publicly and it is not currently anticipated that any more will be issued in the next 12 months.

Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will make a statement on the operation of section 128 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005; what amendments have been made to this section since enactment; whether she has any plans to bring forward amendments to this section in the next 12 months; and what recent representations she has received on this section.

Vernon Coaker: Section 128 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, together with the associated provisions in sections 129 to 131, created a new offence of criminal trespass on a designated site. It came into force on 1 July 2005. Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2006 amended the wording of the offence in sections 128 and 129 to trespass on a protected site, which is defined as either a designated site or a licensed nuclear site. These amendments came into force on 13 April 2006. There are currently no plans to amend these sections and no recent representations have been received on these sections.

Sexual Harassment

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints of  (a) sexual harassment and  (b) sexual discrimination have been made by staff in (i) her Department and (ii) its agencies in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: During the period 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2007, no formal complaints of sexual harassment or sexual discrimination were made by staff within Home Office headquarters.
	During the same period 11 formal complaints of sexual harassment and five formal complaints of sexual discrimination were made by staff against their colleagues within Home Office agencies (Border and Immigration Agency, the Identity and Passport Service and the Criminal Records Bureau).

Shoplifting: Cleveland

Dari Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were arrested for shoplifting in the Cleveland police force area in each of the last two years.

Vernon Coaker: This information is not available as arrests for shoplifting cannot be separately identified from the main offence group of 'other theft offences' of which it is a part.

Shropshire

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the value was of each grant provided by her Department, its associated agencies and non-departmental public bodies to  (a) Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council,  (b) Shropshire County Council and  (c) Telford and the Wrekin Borough Council in (i) 2006-07 and (ii) 2007-08; and what grants have been planned for 2008-09.

Liam Byrne: The Department's accounting system shows the following total payments to Shrewsbury and Atcham borough council, Shropshire county council and Telford and the Wrekin borough council.
	
		
			   Total  () 
			   2006-07  2007-08 
			 Shrewsbury and Atcham 39,761  
			 Shropshire 336,657 286,310 
			 Telford and Wrekin 445,768 391,774 
		
	
	A grant by grant split of 2006-07 and 2007-08 totals and the planned grants for 2008-09 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Information on grants provided by the Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies is held by the bodies themselves. This information is not held centrally.

Telephone Tapping

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost to her Department of making telephone intercepts was in  (a) 2006 and  (b) 2007.

Tony McNulty: Individual intercepting agencies are responsible for the costs of interception. It is not in the public interest to provide a breakdown of these costs because they would be misleading and could give an indication of capabilities.

Television

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many plasma television screens have been purchased by her Department and its agencies, and at what cost, in the last 24 months.

Liam Byrne: Central records on the purchase of plasma screens are not held. However at 2 Marsham street one plasma screen has been purchased in the last 24 months at a cost of 1,045.

Visas: Asia-Pacific Region

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what meetings she has had with representatives from the south Asian community on the proposed changes to visitor visas.

Liam Byrne: We have consulted and worked with a range of stakeholders within Government and industry to formulate the questions posed in the consultation on visitor visas. We will listen to and learn from the views of all those with a stake in this consultation in order to develop a system that is both more secure but that also maintains the UK's position as a destination of choice. I discussed this issue at the Ethnic Minority Citizens Forum at the end of January and during my visit to India in February when I was accompanied by a delegation of community leaders.

Visas: Overseas Students

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations she has received about the impact of the points-based migration system on US university internships in the UK; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: Representations have been received from the Association of American Study Abroad Programmes (UK) and Border and Immigration Agency officials have met with them on a number of occasions to discuss the impact of the points based system on US university internships in the UK. A further meeting is scheduled to take place shortly.

TREASURY

China Task Force

Jo Swinson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  who the members are of the China Task Force; and what his policy is on the publication of information relating to the China Task Force;
	(2)  if he will ensure that minutes of meetings of the China Task Force and other documents relating to its activities that could be placed in the public domain are published on his Department's website in future.

Angela Eagle: Following the recent change of chairman of the China Task Force, there has been a review of the Task Force and its membership, which was discussed by members on 28 February and is still ongoing. As the Secretariat for the China Task Force sits within the Cabinet Office, information relating to the Task Force will therefore be published on the Cabinet Office website in due course.
	The current membership includes: Sir David Brewer (President, China Britain Business Council); Lord Powell; Mervyn Davies (Chairman, Standard Chartered Bank); Professor Sir Colin Campbell (Vice-Chancellor, University of Nottingham); Professor David Norse (Retired Pro-Provost, University College London); right hon. Phil Woolas MP (Minister of State, Climate Change and Environment); Lord Malloch Brown (Minister of State, Africa, Asia and the UN); Neil MacGregor (Director of the British Museum); Sir John Rose (CEO Rolls Royce Plc); Professor K K Cheng (Professor of Epidemiology, Birmingham University); Andrew Cahn (Chief Executive, UK Trade and Investment); Sir Richard Sykes (Rector, Imperial College); Dr. Gary Dirks (Executive President and CEO BP China); and Sebastian Wood (Director Asia Pacific, FCO).

Civil Service Appeal Board

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what percentage of appeals by employees of  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies were (i) heard and (ii) upheld by the Civil Service Appeal Board in each of the last 10 years; how much was awarded in compensation by the Board to each successful appellant in each year; what the reason was for each compensation award; how many appellants were reinstated by the Board in each year; and what the reason was for each (A) dismissal and (B) reinstatement.

Angela Eagle: The Civil Service Appeal Board's annual reports are available at the following link:
	http://www.civilserviceappealboard.gov.uk/publications.aspx#annual_reports
	Detailed information relating to each of the Chancellor's departments and agencies could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Debts

Michael Penning: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the  (a) average amount of personal debt per person and  (b) total amount of personal debt was in (i) the UK, (ii) England and (iii) Dacorum in the last five years for which figures are available.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 11 March 2008:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your question on what the (a) average amount of personal debt per person and (b) total amount of personal debt was in (i) the UK, (ii) England and (iii) Dacorum in the last five years for which figures are available.
	In National Accounts terminology the personal sector is referred to as the household sector. Following international practice, the household sector is combined with the non-profit institutions serving households sector (NPISH), and it is not possible to separate the two. Examples of institutions included within the NPISH sector are: charities; trade unions; universities; churches and political parties.
	Data on total financial liabilities of the household and NPISH sector are only available at a UK level; therefore it is not possible to answer parts (ii) and (iii) of your question.
	
		
			   UK population (thousand)  UK total household and NPISH sector financial liabilities ( million)  Average financial liabilities per person in the UK (000) 
			 2002 59,323 923,144 16 
			 2003 59,557 1,046,913 18 
			 2004 59,846 1,172,032 20 
			 2005 60,238 1,249,393 21 
			 2006 60,587 1,405,756 23 
			  Sources: UK populationMid Year Estimates of resident population, Table 2.1 Monthly Digest of Statistics http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=611Pos=ColRank=lRank=272 UK Total household and NPISH sector financial liabilitiesFinancial balance sheet: households and non profit institutions serving households, Table A64 United Kingdom Economic Accounts http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=1904

Departmental Complaints

Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the timescale is for dealing with complaints to his Department; and what percentage of complaints were processed within this timescale in the latest period for which figures are available.

Angela Eagle: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave on 3 December 2007,  Official Report, column 1021W, to the hon. Member for Fareham (Mr. Hoban). The Treasury aims to respond to all correspondence within 15 working days.

Departmental Cost Effectiveness

Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress his Department has made in its zero-based budget review under the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Angela Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the Annex in Meeting the aspirations of the British People: the 2007 pre-Budget report and Comprehensive Spending Review (CM 7227) and the Treasury's Value for Money Delivery Agreement and Asset Management Strategy published on 17 December 2007.

Departmental Manpower

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 4 March 2008,  Official Report, column 2311W, on departmental manpower, what the baseline figure of employment was on 1 April 2004 in each region and country in total; if he will break down those figures by department or agency; and what the equivalent figures were on 1 April 2007.

Angela Eagle: The following tables show the staff in post breakdown for the Chancellor's Department at 1 April 2004, as published in the civil service staffing statistics.
	
		
			  Civil service statistics at 1 April 2004 
			  Full-time equivalent 
			   EM  East  London  NE  NW  NI  Scotland 
			 HM Treasury 0 0 1,060 0 0 0 0 
			 Debt Management Office 0 0 80 0 0 0 0 
			 Office of Government Commerce 0 230 220 0 160 0 10 
			 Government Actuary's Department 0 0 110 0 0 0 0 
			 HM Revenue and Customs (IR plus C and E) 5,020 6,780 12,300 13,120 14,850 2,500 9,990 
			 Valuation Office Agency 320 360 850 210 580 0 80 
			 National Savings and Investments 0 0 110 0 0 0 0 
			 Office for National Statistics 0 0 870 0 820 0 0 
			 Royal Mint 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Total 5,340 7,370 15,600 13,330 16,410 2,500 10,080 
		
	
	
		
			  Full-time equivalent 
			   SE  SW  Wales  WM  Y and H  Unknown and elsewhere  All regions 
			 HM Treasury 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,060 
			 Debt Management Office 0 0 0 0 0 0 80 
			 Office of Government Commerce 0 0 0 0 20 20 660 
			 Government Actuary's Department 0 0 0 0 0 0 110 
			 HM Revenue and Customs (IR plus C and E) 10,610 4,670 4,720 5,870 6,690 70 97,190 
			 Valuation Office Agency 730 490 310 460 540 0 4,930 
			 National Savings and Investments 0 0 0 0 0 0 110 
			 Office for National Statistics 760 0 1,260 0 0 0 3,710 
			 Royal Mint 0 0 730 0 0 0 730 
			 Total 12,100 5,160 7,020 6,330 7,250 90 108,580 
		
	
	The following tables show the staff in post breakdown for the Chancellor's Departments at 1 April 2007, as supplied by the Departments and agencies.
	
		
			  Departmental records at 1 April 2007 
			  Full-time equivalent 
			   EM  East  London  NE  NW  NI  Scotland 
			 HM Treasury 0 68 1,139 0 0 0 0 
			 Debt Management Office 0 0 75 0 0 0 0 
			 Office of Government Commerce and HMT 0 190 195 13 167 0 6 
			 Government Actuary's Department 0 0 100 0 0 0 0 
			 HM Revenue and Customs 4,469 5,874 10,248 12,461 14,408 2,326 10,520 
			 Valuation Office Agency 280 357 749 169 492 0 68 
			 National Savings and Investment 0 0 121 4 2 0 3 
			 Office for National Statistics 0 0 551 0 814 0 0 
			 Royal Mint 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Total 4,749 6,489 13,178 12,647 15,883 2,326 10,597 
		
	
	
		
			  Full-time equivalent 
			   SE  SW  Wales  WM  Y and H  Unknown and elsewhere  All regions 
			 HM Treasury 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,207 
			 Debt Management Office 0 0 0 0 0 0 75 
			 Office of Government Commerce and HMT 0 0 0 0 4 0 575 
			 Government Actuary's Department 0 0 0 0 0 0 100 
			 HM Revenue and Customs 8,544 4,173 4,479 5,208 5,824 402 88,936 
			 Valuation Office Agency 588 375 307 383 461 1 4,229 
			 National Savings and Investment 0 0 0 0 0 0 130 
			 Office for National Statistics 700 0 1,259 0 0 0 3,324 
			 Royal Mint 0 0 762 0 0 0 762 
			 Total 9,832 4,548 6,807 5,591 6,288 403 99,338

Departmental Official Cars

Fraser Kemp: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what make and model of car  (a) he and  (b) each Minister in his Department selected as their official ministerial car; and what criteria were applied when making the decision in each case.

Angela Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport on 10 March 2008,  Official Report, column 8W.

Departmental Property

Anne Main: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many residential properties his Department owns; how many of these are vacant; and how many of these have been vacant for longer than  (a) three,  (b) six and (c) 12 months.

Angela Eagle: The Treasury does not own any residential property.

Excise Duties: Alcoholic Drinks

Mike Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the effect of the level of excise duty on the British brewing industry.

Angela Eagle: In making decisions on the taxation of beer, the Chancellor takes all relevant factors into consideration, including the state of the industry and its contribution to the economy.

Financial Institutions

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information his Department collects on the offshore activities of UK banks; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: HMRC routinely collects information on the offshore activities of UK banks for UK tax purposes in the following situations:
	If a UK bank is trading through a branch overseas then the profits from that branch are reported as part of the UK company's profits for corporation tax in its tax returns.
	There is special legislation that taxes the profits of certain overseas subsidiaries (called 'Controlled Foreign Companies') of UK groups, including banks, where these subsidiaries are located in certain low tax jurisdictions. UK banks that have such companies are required to make a return to HMRC of their controlled foreign companies and the profits to be allocated to the UK.

Foreign Workers

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 4 March 2008,  Official Report, columns 2315-19W, on foreign workers, what his most recent estimate is of non-UK born persons in employment as a percentage of all in employment in  (a) each county of the UK and  (b) the UK as a whole in each of the last five years.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 11 March 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question pursuant to the Answer of 4th March 2008, Official Report, columns 2315-9W, on foreign workers, what the most recent estimate is of non-UK born persons in employment as a percentage of all in employment in (a) each county of the UK and (b) the UK as a whole in each of the last five years. (193479)
	The Office for National Statistics compiles statistics on migrant workers for local areas from the Annual Labour Force Survey and the Annual Population Survey (APS). The National Statistics method for estimating the number of migrant workers employed in the UK is routinely based on the number of people at a given time who were born abroad, are of working age (16-64 for men, 16-59 for women) and in employment. This question has been answered on this basis. It means, for example, that some people who are UK nationals will be included in the total of foreign born and that people who are working but are above state pension age are not included.
	APS estimates at this detailed level are only available consistent with population estimates published in February and March 2003 and are not comparable with the estimates published in the Labour Market Statistics First Release on 13 February 2008, which are based on latest population estimates.
	The table attached, shows the percentage of persons of working age in employment, who were not born in the UK for each UK county, Unitary Authority and Metropolitan County and the UK, during the twelve month periods ending in March for 2005, 2006, 2007 from the APS and, for the 12 month periods ending in February for 2003 and 2004 from the Annual LFS.
	When interpreting these figures, it is important to bear in mind that the APS/LFS are not designed to cover everyone who is present in the UK. The survey may undercount the numbers of people who were born overseas. The reasons are set out in the table footnote.
	As these estimates are for a subset of the population in small geographical areas, they are based on small sample sizes, and are therefore subject to large margins of uncertainty.
	
		
			  Non-UK born persons( 1)  in employment in each UK county, unitary authority and metropolitan county and the UK, 2003 to 2007, as a percentage of all persons in employment( 2) 
			  Percentage 
			  12 months ending  February 2003  February 2004  March 2005  March 2006  March 2007 
			 UK 9 9 10 10 11 
			   
			 Bedfordshire 8 8 7 10 11 
			 Buckinghamshire 10 11 11 11 13 
			 Cambridgeshire 8 8 10 12 14 
			 Cheshire 4 5 4 4 4 
			 Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly 4 4 4 5 8 
			 Cumbria 3 2 3 3 3 
			 Derbyshire 2 2 3 4 3 
			 Devon 5 5 4 4 6 
			 Dorset 4 5 6 5 4 
			 Durham 2 3 3 2 3 
			 East Sussex 5 5 8 7 8 
			 Essex 6 5 6 6 8 
			 Gloucestershire 7 6 6 6 6 
			 Hampshire 7 8 7 6 8 
			 Hertfordshire 9 9 10 10 14 
			 Kent 6 6 7 7 8 
			 Lancashire 4 4 5 6 6 
			 Leicestershire 4 4 5 6 6 
			 Lincolnshire 3 5 5 6 7 
			 Norfolk 5 5 6 6 7 
			 Northamptonshire 5 5 7 10 9 
			 Northumberland 2 3 3 3 2 
			 North Yorkshire 4 5 5 5 5 
			 Nottinghamshire 4 4 3 4 5 
			 Oxfordshire 9 9 11 12 12 
			 Shropshire 3 4 4 3 4 
			 Somerset 5 6 4 2 4 
			 Staffordshire 2 3 3 3 2 
			 Suffolk 7 7 6 9 7 
			 Surrey 9 11 11 13 14 
			 Warwickshire 8 6 6 6 7 
			 West Sussex 9 9 9 9 12 
			 Wiltshire 6 5 7 6 10 
			 Worcestershire 3 5 5 4 4 
			 Tyne and Wear Met County 3 4 4 5 6 
			 Greater Manchester Met County 6 6 7 8 8 
			 Merseyside Met County 3 3 4 4 6 
			 South Yorkshire Met County 3 4 4 5 6 
			 West Yorkshire Met County 7 8 8 9 9 
			 West Midlands Met County 10 11 11 12 14 
			 Inner London 38 39 39 41 42 
			 Outer London 26 27 30 29 31 
			 Hartlepool UA 2 2 2 2 2 
			 Middlesbrough UA 5 4 5 6 6 
			 Redcar and Cleveland UA 2 2 3 2 1 
			 Stockton-on-Tees UA 4 5 5 5 3 
			 Darlington UA 4 4 5 5 6 
			 Halton UA 1 2 2 2 2 
			 Warrington UA 4 4 3 4 5 
			 Blackburn with Darwen UA 7 10 11 12 12 
			 Blackpool UA 3 2 4 4 5 
			 Kingston upon Hull City of UA 4 3 4 6 7 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire UA 4 3 3 3 4 
			 North East Lincolnshire UA 3 3 3 2 3 
			 North Lincolnshire UA 4 4 4 5 7 
			 York UA 4 4 4 6 8 
			 Clackmannanshire 5 n/a n/a n/a 3 
			 West Dunbartonshire n/a 1 1 2 3 
			 Dumfries and Galloway 2 3 3 3 2 
			 Dundee City 3 5 4 6 7 
			 East Ayrshire 2 2 2 2 3 
			 East Dunbartonshire 4 3 3 4 3 
			 East Lothian 3 4 4 4 6 
			 East Renfrewshire 3 5 4 4 4 
			 Edinburgh City of 8 11 11 11 13 
			 Falkirk 2 3 3 3 2 
			 Fife 4 4 4 6 4 
			 City of Glasgow 5 7 6 7 9 
			 Highland 2 4 3 4 5 
			 Inverclyde n/a 6 5 4 3 
			 Midlothian 3 2 3 3 3 
			 Moray 3 3 4 5 7 
			 North Ayrshire 4 3 3 3 2 
			 North Lanarkshire 1 2 2 2 3 
			 Orkney Islands 8 n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Perth and Kinross 6 4 4 5 5 
			 Renfrewshire 3 4 3 3 4 
			 Shetland Islands n/a 5 n/a n/a n/a 
			 South Ayrshire 4 3 3 2 3 
			 South Lanarkshire 1 1 3 4 4 
			 Stirling n/a 4 4 5 8 
			 West Lothian 1 3 5 6 7 
			 Northern Ireland 4 4 5 4 6 
			 n/a = Not available. (1) Does not include respondents who did not answer the question on country of birth. (2) Workers are defined as of working age (male age 16-64, females age 16-59). Estimates are subject to sampling variability.  Note: It should also be noted that the country of birth question in the APS gives an undercount because: it excludes certain people who have been resident in the UK for less than six months. it excludes students in halls who do not have a UK resident parent. it excludes people in most other types of communal establishments (e.g. hotels, boarding houses, hostels, mobile home sites, etc.). it is grossed to population estimates which exclude migrants staying for less than 12 months. microdata are grossed to population estimates consistent with those published in spring 2003 which are significantly lower than the latest population estimates.  Source: Annual Labour Force Survey/Annual Population Survey.

Inflation

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his most recent estimate is of the rate of inflation.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 11 March 2008:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what is the most recent estimate of the rate of inflation. (192371).
	There are two main measures of consumer inflation published by the Office for National Statistics, the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) which forms the basis for the Government's inflation target and the Retail Prices Index (RPI) which has many uses including the indexation of state benefits and pensions. The latest data for these can be found on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/instantfigures.asp

Members: Correspondence

David Winnick: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 4 March 2008,  Official Report, column 2321W, on Members: correspondence, how many replies were sent to hon. Members from the Preston tax credit office in the last 12 months; and by what procedures the Director of the office is shown some of the correspondence.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 10 March 2008
	Between 1 March 2007 and 29 February 2008, managers at the Tax Credit office replied to around 8,000 inquiries which they had received direct from hon. Members.
	I have asked the TCO director to write to my hon. Friend on his second point.

Northern Rock: Nationalisation

Peter Bone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what strategic business objectives he has set for Northern Rock.

Angela Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer the Chancellor gave on 6 March 2008,  Official Report, column 1893.

Prostate Cancer: Lancashire

Nigel Evans: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many diagnoses of prostate cancer there were in Lancashire in each of the last five years.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 11 March 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many diagnoses of prostate cancer there were in Lancashire in each of the last five years.
	The latest available figures for newly diagnosed cases (incidence) of malignant neoplasm of prostate are for the year 2005. Figures for 2001-2005 for males in the county of Lancashire are in the table below.
	
		
			  Registrations of newly diagnosed cases of prostate cancer( 1) , males, county of Lancashire, 2001-05 
			   Number 
			 2001 731 
			 2002 633 
			 2003 728 
			 2004 846 
			 2005 874 
			 (1) Prostate cancer is coded to C61 in the International Classification of Diseases Tenth Revision (ICD-10).  Source: Office for National Statistics.

Retail Prices Index

David Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce a specific retail price index measure for pensioners to take account of differential spending patterns compared to the general population.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 11 March 2008:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce a specific retail price index measure for pensioners to take account of differential spending patterns compared to the general population. (192494)
	The retail prices index (RPI) is an average measure of change in the prices of goods and services bought for the purpose of consumption by the vast majority of households in the UK. There are no plans to introduce an index to represent the specific spending patterns of pensioners. It is recognized that very few individuals will conform to an average profile, as used in the RPI and it is for this reason that ONS has produced a personal inflation calculator, based on the RPI. It allows individuals to input their own spending on the main categories of good and services, and then it reassembles the RPI price indices using these expenditure patterns. This gives an indication of an individual's personal inflation rate.

Tax Avoidance

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will initiate a study of the use of Liechtenstein financial entities for the purposes of UK tax avoidance.

Jane Kennedy: HMRC constantly reviews financial entities which are used for tax avoidance.

Tax Yields: Bingo

Robert Wilson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the average annual employment-related revenue for the Exchequer from  (a) PAYE and  (b) national insurance contributions from a bingo club.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested is not available.

Taxation: Self-Assessment

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  for what reasons tax returns are transferred between HM Revenue and Customs offices;
	(2)  how many tax returns were lost in transfer between HM Revenue and Customs offices in each of the last five years;
	(3)  what procedures are in place to record the transfer of tax returns between HM Revenue and Customs offices.

Jane Kennedy: Under the terms of the Taxes Management Act 1970 (1970 c 9) taxpayers may deliver their self assessment tax return to any HMRC office. Where paper tax returns are received in offices which are not the processing office HMRC transfer them to the appropriate office. Returns may also be moved between offices to make the most efficient use of processing resources and staff skills.
	HMRC transfer tax returns between their offices using their internal 'Taxpost' systems. Thousands of items are moved through this system every day and individual items are generally not recorded.
	Information on the number of lost tax returns is not recorded centrally.

VAT: Business

David Gauke: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of HM Revenue and Customs performance in repaying VAT owed to UK businesses.

Jane Kennedy: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is committed to paying correct repayment claims without undue delay. It operates to a published target to authorise at least 90 per cent. of correct repayment returns within 10 working days of their receipt. At the same time, HMRC makes clear to businesses that it will carry out checks and apply safeguards to ensure that claims are legitimate and accurate. In both 2005-06 and 2006-07 the target was met.

VAT: Leisure

Mark Oaten: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give private companies running public leisure facilities the same VAT arrangements as leisure trusts running similar facilities.

Jane Kennedy: VAT exemption applies to the supply of sporting services by non-profit making bodies. Our European VAT agreements do not allow us to extend exemption to similar supplies made by commercial organisations.

VAT: Uniforms

Nigel Evans: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of reducing to 5 per cent. the rate of VAT on upper body, badged items of school uniform for all school children under 18 years old.

Jane Kennedy: No estimate has been made. Our European VAT agreements, signed by successive governments, do not allow us to introduce a reduced VAT rate for those badged items of school uniform that are not already VAT zero-rated.

Welfare Tax Credits: Appeals

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many appeals there have been in relation to decisions on tax credits since 2003.

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many appeals against tax credit awards were made by households with  (a) one individual,  (b) a lone parent with dependent children,  (c) a couple with no children and  (d) a couple with children in each financial year since their inception;
	(2)  how many appeals against tax credit awards were made for  (a) working tax credit and  (b) child tax credit in each financial year since their inception.

Jane Kennedy: Customers can contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to appeal if they think their tax credits award is wrong. The Department will seek to agree the amount of the award with the customer and make the correct payment.
	Information concerning appeals can be found in the HMRC leaflet WTC/AP How to appeal against a tax credits decision or award which is available on the internet at:
	www.hmrc.gov.uk/leaflets/wtc_ap.pdf
	The level of detail requested by the hon. Members is not available but the numbers of households that have appealed against a tax credits decision in each year from April 2003 to February 2008 inclusive are provided in the following table:
	
		
			  April to March  Number of appeals received (rounded to the nearest 5) 
			 2003-04 33,700 
			 2004-05 44,100 
			 2005-06 23,430 
			 2006-07 10,540 
			 2007-08 (to 29 February) 8,900 
			 Total 120,670

Welfare Tax Credits: Foreigners

Michael Penning: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was paid in tax credits to  (a) overseas nationals,  (b) non-British nationals of EU countries and  (c) nationals of EU8 countries in each of the last five years.

Jane Kennedy: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 20 June 2007,  Official Report, column 1890W, to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws).

Welfare Tax Credits: Fraud

Michael Penning: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information is  (a) collected and  (b) has been held for the last five years on (i) residency and (ii) nationality related tax credit fraud by overseas nationals; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: This requested information is not available.

JUSTICE

Magistrates

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps he is taking to encourage more people from disadvantaged communities to become magistrates.

Bridget Prentice: The Government are committed to a magistracy reflective of our diverse communities. My Department has taken forward a number of initiatives to support greater diversity, including working with employers to encourage them to release employees to serve as magistrates, more informative advertising and application materials to raise the profile of recruitment, a dedicated magistrates website and support for awareness raising schemes such as the magistrates shadowing scheme. In addition, local advisory committees, who recruit and select magistrates, are required to target recruitment towards any groups under-represented in their respective areas.

House of Lords Reform

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice in his consideration of House of Lords reform, what assessment he has made of the experience of other countries which have religious leaders in their parliaments.

Michael Wills: The UK is unique in Europe in having reserved places in Parliament for religious leaders.

House of Lords Reform

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what progress has been made by the cross-party working group on House of Lords reform; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: The cross-party group on House of Lords reform has met four times since the beginning of the year. It has made progress on many major questions on reforming the other place. Its work will be reflected in the White Paper on Lords reform due to be published before the summer recess.

Sentencing Guidelines

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of the likely impact on the number of people sent to prison of the new guidance on sentences for offences of assault.

Maria Eagle: The Sentencing Guidelines Council published guidelines on assault against the person last month. These largely reflect existing Court of Appeal guidelines and current sentencing practice and trends. The Government do not therefore expect significant change in the number of people sent to prison for these offences.

Bilingual Juries: Wales

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on provision for bilingual juries in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: We are considering the provision of bilingual juries in Wales and intend to make a statement in due course.

Governance of Britain

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will make it his policy to consult on the proposals in the Governance of Britain Green Paper by means of digital television and the internet.

Michael Wills: We have set up the Governance of Britain website to provide information and updates on proposals in the Green Paper. The site will also give people the opportunity to contribute to discussion and debate. We do not intend to consult by means of digital television.

Armed Forces: Inquests

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the cost has been to the public purse of inquests into the deaths of members of the armed forces killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan since 19 March 2003.

Bridget Prentice: The cost to the public purse is not kept centrally. Costs have been met by individual local authorities in respect of coroners who have conducted inquests. Other costs have been met by the Ministry of Defence in respect of support provided to families and where as an Interested Person it has engaged legal representation, and by the Legal Services Commission in respect of representation of bereaved families at inquests. Central Government funding has also been provided since June 2006 to the Oxfordshire and Wiltshire and Swindon coroners, because of the singular burden in these jurisdictions in consequence of the decision to repatriate overseas military fatalities via RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and, since 1 April 2007, via RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire. The total costs authorised in relation to legally aided representation for families at inquests into military deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan are around 100,000 since 19 March 2003. To date, 385,112 has been spent by central Government in Oxfordshire and Wiltshire. Between 2003 and 2007, the costs incurred by the Ministry of Defence on its own legal representation amounted 1,160,281.66. This figure includes external legal advice on inquest-related matters, as well as costs for representation at inquests. This is normally when potentially complex issues could arise and MOD Counsel could assist the Court in the relevant questioning of witnesses to elicit as clear and full an understanding as possible of what took place. The costs incurred by the Ministry of Defence on support to bereaved families are not kept centrally.

Emergency Accommodation: Prisoners

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has to provide additional emergency accommodation for prisoners.

David Hanson: In addition to prison establishments, a limited number of police cells have been made available to help ensure that exceptional population pressures can be managed safely and securely. Arrangements are in place for a small number of court cells to be used as a contingency of last resort when required.
	There are no other forms of temporary or emergency accommodation used for prisoners.

Open Prisons

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will instigate a review of the effectiveness of open prisons in ensuring prisoners do not abscond.

David Hanson: No. All those located in open conditions have been risk assessed and categorised as being of low risk to the public. Time spent in open prisons affords prisoners the opportunity to find work, re-establish family ties, reintegrate into the community and ensure housing needs are met. For long-term prisoners, these are essential components for successful resettlement and an important factor in protecting the public.
	The number of absconds is at its lowest level since centralised reporting of this type of incident began in 1995. Since then, the number of absconds has fallen steadily across most years. In the last two years, the number of absconds recorded has been just over half the levels recorded in 1997.

Open Prisons

Daniel Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many available places in open prisons there were at the latest date for which figures are available.

David Hanson: As of 7 March 2008, there were 88 available places in the adult male open prison estate.

War Pensions Appeals

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what changes the Government plans to make to tribunals on war pensions appeals.

Bridget Prentice: Existing judges and members of the pensions appeal tribunal will transfer to the proposed new first-tier tribunal, where they will continue to hear war pensions appeals. We will also extend appeal rights by providing a new onward right of appeal from the first-tier tribunal to the upper tribunal in assessment cases.

Coroners

Stephen Pound: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the objectives of his policy on the coroners' system are; and if he will make a statement.

Bridget Prentice: The Government are committed to reforming the coroner service for England and Wales, and to making non-legislative improvements ahead of a Coroners Bill. Both legislative and non-legislative changes are underpinned by three main aims: an improved service for bereaved families and others touched by the service; a service with national leadership, with the best features of a locally based service; and more effective investigations.

Community Sentences

Shona McIsaac: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has to increase the use of community sentences.

David Hanson: Between 1995 and 2005, the total number of community sentences given by courts increased by more than 50 per cent. We expect these trends to continue. The Government have recently re-affirmed their commitment to providing the courts with tough and effective alternatives to short-term custody, including maximising the use of community sentences to reduce drug misuse.

Prison Officers: Pay

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of pay scales for prison officers in England; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: Pay levels for prison officers fall within the remit of the independent Prison Service Pay Review Body. Their 2008 recommendations were accepted in full and announced in a statement by my right hon. Friend the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Mr. Straw) on 7 February 2008,  Official Report, columns 86-87WS.

Prison Building Programme

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what progress has been made on the Government's prison building programme on the Isle of Wight and nationally.

David Hanson: The Government have announced a programme to provide an additional 20,000 prison places and increase overall capacity to just over 96,000 by 2014. The programme has already provided 2,162 places, and will provide a further 2,409 places this year.
	On the Isle of Wight we delivered 40 places at HM Prison Albany last month and around 28 places are scheduled for delivery at HM Prison Parkhurst in July.

Civil Service Appeal Board

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many and what percentage of appeals by employees of  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies were (i) heard and (ii) upheld by the Civil Service Appeal Board in each of the last 10 years; how much was awarded in compensation by the Board to each successful appellant in each year; what the reason was for each compensation award; how many appellants were reinstated by the Board in each year; and what the reason was for each (A) dismissal and (B) reinstatement.

Maria Eagle: The ex-DCA does not hold the information centrally in the format requested. This could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. A system has recently been put in place to record the information, although not to the detail requested in this question.
	
		
			   August-December 2006  January-December 2007 
			 Heard 5 13 
			 Upheld 1 1 
			 Percentage 20 8 
		
	
	For NOMS and OCJR, the information has only been collected centrally since 2005, in which time there have been no appeals. To obtain information prior to this could be done only at disproportionate cost.
	The Prison Service does not hold the information centrally, and it could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

ClearSprings Management

Angela Browning: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what guidance has been given to ClearSprings Management Ltd on the appropriateness of placements for people who are homeless and bailed by the courts;
	(2)  whether the Government contract with ClearSprings Management Ltd includes the housing of prisoners on remand in the community;
	(3)  if he will place in the Library the guidelines followed by ClearSprings Management Ltd in consulting on placing homeless people bailed by the courts in the community.

David Hanson: The regional offender managers, and the director of offender management for Wales, have identified in which towns accommodation is needed, based on the distribution of origins of prisoners. It is for ClearSprings to seek properties in those locations. ClearSprings are required to consult the local authority, police and the Probation Service in selecting properties, in order to avoid inappropriate locations.
	By definition, those remanded on bail in the community are not prisoners, and they may not have been held in prison before being bailed by the courts. The contract with ClearSprings is to provide housing and support in the community for defendants whom the courts have remanded on bail, and for sentenced prisoners who have been released on home detention curfew by the prison governor.
	An unpriced copy of the contract, containing the requirements to ClearSprings for consultation, will be placed in the Library of the House.

Feltham Young Offender Institution and Remand Centre

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice who was responsible for the decision to locate MW7217 Ameyaw on Osprey Unit at HM Young Offender Institution Feltham in May 2005; for what reason that decision was taken; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: It is not Prison Service policy to comment on individual prisoners or members of staff.

General Elections

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will bring forward proposals to limit further national expenditure by political parties at general elections.

Jack Straw: In line with the commitment made in the Queen's Speech on 6 November, the Government will in due course bring forward proposals on party finance and expenditure.

Offenders: Bail Hostels

Daniel Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many violent incidents were recorded at properties operated by ClearSprings Ltd under the Bail and Accommodation Support Service in each of the last three years;
	(2)  how many proposals to operate bail houses through the Bail and Accommodation Support Service were withdrawn by ClearSprings Ltd in each month since January 2007;
	(3)  how many offenders were placed in properties in Cornwall by the Bail and Accommodation Support Service in each of the last five years; and what the average period of their detention was, broken down by category of offence;
	(4)  how many  (a) properties were used by and  (b) beds were available through the Bail and Accommodation Support Service in the latest period for which figures are available; and how many of these were managed by (i) ClearSprings Management and (ii) other private contractors in (A) each parliamentary constituency in Cornwall and (B) Cornwall;
	(5)  how many people  (a) on bail and  (b) on home detention curfew were provided with accommodation by (i) the Bail Accommodation and Support Service, (ii) ClearSprings and (iii) other private contractors in (A) each parliamentary constituency in Cornwall and (B) Cornwall in each month since July 2007;
	(6)  what the  (a) average cost per person per night and  (b) cost per month of providing bail and home detention accommodation through (i) the Bail Accommodation and Support Service, (ii) ClearSprings Management and (iii) other private contractors was in (A) each parliamentary constituency in Cornwall and (B) Cornwall in the latest 12 month period for which figures are available.

David Hanson: The Bail Accommodation and Support Service has been in operation only since 18 June 2007. From that date until 6 March 2008 734 people have been released into the service. Six incidents involving violence at ClearSprings addresses have been reported and, if appropriate, service users have been recalled to prison, had their bail revoked or been offered support as victims.
	ClearSprings have withdrawn four properties from service, none of which had been occupied. Three were withdrawn in January 2008 and one in February 2008.
	No offenders have yet been placed in properties in Cornwall.
	All Bail Accommodation and Support Service properties are managed by ClearSprings. No properties have been made available or used in Cornwall.
	The average cost per person per night for the Bail Accommodation and Support Service in January 2008 was 65 for the service across England and Wales.

Offenders: Custodial Treatment

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many  (a) young and  (b) adult offenders have been sentenced to terms of immediate custody of six months or less in the last five years for which records are available.

David Hanson: The latest published data for 2006 are included in the following table. The figures for 2007 will be published later in the year.
	
		
			  Number of persons( 1)  sentenced to custody for less than or equal to six months, all courts, England and Wales 2002-06 
			  Number of persons 
			   Type of offender 
			   Juveniles( 2)  Adult( 3) 
			 2002 3,990 67,971 
			 2003 3,566 66,686 
			 2004 3,603 64,596 
			 2005 3,461 60,395 
			 2006 3,448 55,686 
			 (1) Principal offence basis. (2) 10 to 17-year-olds. (3) 18 years and older.  Note: These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system.  Source: RDS-NOMS, Ministry of Justice 6 March 2008 Ref: PQ(RN)116-08

Prisoners: Police Custody

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners in England and Wales were in  (a) police and  (b) court cells at the latest available date.

Jack Straw: On the night of Thursday/Friday 6/7 March there were 52 prisoners held in police cells under Operation Safeguard and none held in court cells.

Prisons

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has to introduce working wings in prisons; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: The Government's priorities for increasing the skills and employment outcomes of offenders are outlined in the document 'Reducing Re-offending Through Skills and Employment: Next Steps' published in December 2006 and 'Prison Policy Update' in January 2008. It emphasises the need to make many prisons places of work and learning.
	We have recently launched our plans to increase the range of constructive work available to offenders inside prison, and in turn their job opportunities in the community. Through the Reducing Re-offending Corporate Alliance over 100 employers are working with us to improve the employment and employability of offenders. We are seeking to engage private, public and voluntary organisations in providing a range of constructive work activities through prison workshops and industries. The Prisons Minister is to host a forum shortly to seek to expand this work.
	There are more than 700 employers working with the Prison Service open and resettlement estate providing work experience and training to offenders as they near release.
	The number of workshops and training centres in existing prisons obviously depends on the size, design and original purpose of the establishment. Training and/or work facilities are a key part of new designs of prisons for appropriate categories of prisoners. Some prisons, for example Category C prisons, are dedicated as whole prisons to training, work and rehabilitation.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of mechanisms to prevent inmates identified in an  (a) F2058 form and  (b) unit observation book from associating; what the reasons are for inmates not being permitted to associate; under what circumstances inmates who have been identified as unsuitable for association may remain on the same unit or wing and not be transferred to an alternative location; who is responsible for determining which inmate should be re-located in those circumstances; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: Prisoners may be denied association for contravening prison rules, to prevent bullying or other threats to good order and discipline in the prison or for medical reasons or as a result of specific intelligence or requests from the police or courts to keep prisoners apart. Prisoners at risk of attack may at their own request be held without association while an alternative location is found for them. Those prisoners on the basic level of the incentives and earned privilege scheme may also be denied association.
	Those committing less serious breaches of discipline may be held without association as an alternative to being held in the segregation unit. Prisoners at risk of attack from other prisoners may be held on normal location, with limited or no association, if dedicated units for these prisoners are full. The duty governor has overall responsibility for decisions on the allocation of prisoners. I am satisfied that these arrangements are working despite the increased prisoner population.

Prisons: Costs

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the estimated cost of a prison place was in England and Wales in an  (a) dispersal,  (b) category B,  (c) category C and  (d) open prison in the last 12 month period for which figures are available.

David Hanson: The latest available cost per place figures are shown in the 2006-07 annual report and accounts. The cost per place for prisons in each of the categories listed in the question is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Table 1: Cost per place 
			  Function name   
			 Male dispersal 47,613 
			 Male category B 27,713 
			 Male category C 22,707 
			 Open Prisons 20,687

Prisons: Population

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the prison population in England and Wales was at the latest date available.

Jack Straw: On 7 March 2008 the prison population was 81,910 excluding those held overnight in police cells.

Prisons: Population

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the prison capacity in England and Wales was at the latest date available.

Jack Straw: Useable operational capacity in prisons in England and Wales on 7 March was 81,754. This figure is exclusive of places in police cells available through Operation Safeguard.

Probation

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when he expects to implement the Intensive Domestic Abuse programme for those on probation; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: The Integrated Domestic Abuse Programme (IDAP) has already been implemented. All probation areas in England and Wales are equipped to deliver either IDAP or the Community Domestic Violence Programme. IDAP is normally delivered at the rate of one session a week, but three probation areas are piloting a more intense pattern of delivery. Whether we promote this intensive method will depend on the outcome of the evaluation, which is expected shortly.

Probation Service

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the caseload of the Probation Service in England and Wales was at the latest date available, broken down by  (a) supervision orders and  (b) licence and parole.

David Hanson: At 30 September 2007, the number of offenders supervised by the Probation Service in England and Wales under all court orders was 149,777. The number supervised on all post release licence was 28,113.
	These figures are taken from table 6 the Probation Statistics Quarterly Brief, July to September 2007, which can be found at the following website:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/probationquarterly.htm
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Probation Service

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the proportion of those leaving Probation Service employment who will be replaced in the next two financial years;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the number of probation officers to be made redundant by the Probation Service in 2007-08, broken down by grade.

David Hanson: Information is not available to answer this question as staffing requirements are currently being reviewed throughout the Probation Service.
	To date, long-term work force planning has been conducted in a limited manner within the Probation Service and has largely been undertaken in concert with the annual intake on to the Diploma in Probation Studies (DiPS), which is led by NOMS probation area co-ordination unit. Responsibility for all other recruitment and work force planning rests with each of the individual probation areas. With the forthcoming cessation of the DiPS and the development and implementation of its replacement, the process by which work force planning will be conducted, nationally and locally, is currently being reviewed in order to align it to future arrangements.

Probation Service: Employment

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many Probation Service staff left the service during 2007-08; and how many of those were replaced, broken down by Probation Service area.

David Hanson: Information on the number of starters and leavers in the NPS is currently only available up to June 2007. The following table shows the number of starters and leavers in each probation area between July 2006 and June 2007.
	
		
			   Q2 2006-07  Q3 2006-07  Q4 2006-07  Q1 2007-08 
			  Area  Starters  Leavers  Starters  Leavers  Starters  Leavers  Starters  Leavers 
			 Avon and Somerset 19.00 17.00 13.80 13.50 4.60 16.10 4.60 9.90 
			 Bedfordshire 2.40 2.80 0.70 5.30 1.20 4.60 3.44 6.00 
			 Cambridgeshire 4.20 3.01 4.50 3.00 2.00 4.42 4.99 3.00 
			 Cheshire 5.86 8.08 11.32 5.90 6.82 11.81 6.62 13.98 
			 Cumbria 7.27 3.04 7.00 4.00 1.23 4.23 7.36 12.81 
			 Derbyshire 0.00 5.50 3.30 3.50 2.00 0.60 0.00 5.00 
			 Devon and Cornwall 11.50 6.46 8.60 10.61 11.70 6.46 12.70 14.71 
			 Dorset 1.00 6.00 3.00 2.00 5.10 4.00 6.00 7.00 
			 Durham 2.20 3.00 13.14 2.28 6.83 5.00 5.00 6.00 
			 Dyfed Powys 22.18 2.30 1.40 2.36 0.00 1.00 1.24 6.90 
			 Essex 12.50 7.10 17.50 11.10 6.40 10.40 13.50 22.90 
			 Gloucestershire 2.96 5.81 14.68 6.00 1.00 7.88 2.60 4.74 
			 Greater Manchester 25.00 46.00 77.00 35.00 14.00 37.00 6.00 40.00 
			 Gwent 17.90 4.20 2.50 3.50 1.60 3.60 0.00 0.00 
			 Hampshire 12.60 17.13 23.86 12.10 4.20 12.61 9.90 22.25 
			 Hertfordshire 14.20 11.00 17.60 6.10 6.20 9.04 11.82 9.30 
			 Humberside 1.00 10.31 16.00 9.23 3.58 8.91 0.59 10.91 
			 Kent 9.60 14.02 29.60 13.71 3.77 10.21 1.95 10.42 
			 Lancashire 3.50 11.00 9.50 16.80 4.80 11.21 11.50 11.30 
			 Leicestershire 7.00 8.00 8.90 7.30 8.10 7.60 8.50 11.20 
			 Lincolnshire 5.40 9.00 13.00 2.65 2.50 2.10 1.00 4.00 
			 London 94.24 61.80 97.00 44.57 76.80 65.58 9.10 58.19 
			 Merseyside 4.50 18.50 12.00 8.49 0.00 11.00 1.60 20.90 
			 Norfolk 5.00 14.00 15.00 4.00 3.00 11.00 6.00 13.30 
			 North Wales 11.00 5.50 2.50 2.50 0.00 3.00 2.00 2.80 
			 North Yorkshire 5.00 5.50 9.50 2.50 5.00 2.00 8.00 8.00 
			 Northamptonshire 0.00 0.00 13.32 6.00 6.31 6.90 9.30 10.95 
			 Northumbria 18.41 9.24 10.41 13.00 8.85 13.61 9.09 25.14 
			 Nottinghamshire 14.90 8.90 32.70 32.50 7.50 20.80 7.60 24.90 
			 South Wales 26.98 9.50 1.00 10.50 4.00 7.60 7.85 3.20 
			 South Yorkshire 10.90 24.80 17.00 16.60 3.00 19.30 0.00 14.00 
			 Staffordshire 3.00 5.00 2.00 5.00 10.50 0.00 3.30 5.30 
			 Suffolk 4.60 4.70 3.22 1.86 0.61 6.61 2.00 5.00 
			 Surrey 15.40 15.30 11.53 8.90 8.86 6.90 7.32 8.49 
			 Sussex 9.00 12.00 28.00 5.00 8.00 8.00 5.00 17.00 
			 Teesside 2.20 12.00 13.30 6.40 9.80 4.40 3.00 5.00 
			 Thames Valley 20.00 21.60 33.20 30.70 17.70 20.10 8.60 26.60 
			 Warwickshire 3.18 7.10 5.00 7.00 0.00 2.50 2.00 4.00 
			 West Mercia 17.02 13.43 10.41 7.44 2.49 16.47 21.59 13.24 
			 West Midlands 22.81 26.53 11.82 33.61 41.99 32.44 29.38 15.34 
			 West Yorkshire 24.00 26.00 44.00 24.00 24.00 13.00 17.00 21.00 
			 Wiltshire 6.00 6.60 17.60 10.30 17.60 10.30 19.20 16.10 
			 NPS 505.41 508.76 687.41 456.81 353.64 460.28 298.24 550.77

Rehabilitation Services

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what role his special advisers play in contracting for rehabilitation services.

Jack Straw: None.

Re-offenders

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what account was taken of A Five Year Strategy for Protecting the Public and Reducing Re-offending, published in February 2006, in producing his Department's Strategic Plan for Reducing Re-offending 2008-2011; and what progress has been made on the 2006 Strategy's recommendations on  (a) more use of intermittent custody for people with family responsibilities and  (b) the vision for community prisons.

David Hanson: The Government have just completed their consultation on the new Strategic Plan for Reducing Re-offending 2008-11. The plan will be published in the late spring and will effectively link cross government partners to the delivery of objectives to reduce re-offending and protect the public. The consultation period ensured that the Government gathered the views of our partners at a national, regional and local level on how we can best build on our successes to date, such as the roll out of offender management for those offenders who pose the greatest risk of harm to the public, and working with Local Strategic Partnerships in negotiations around Local Area Agreements, both actions contained in the Five Year Strategy for Protecting the Public and Reducing Re-offending.
	In terms of the two specific recommendations highlighted:
	 (a) Intermittent custody: following trials of intermittent custody at HMP Kirkham and HMP Motion Hall from January 2004 to November 2006, the Government decided to make no further use of the sentence for the time being.
	 (b) Community prisons: the current strategy for the prison estate was outlined in Penal Policya background paper published on 9 May 2007. In her Review of Women with Particular Vulnerabilities in the Criminal Justice System Baroness Corston recommended that existing women's prisons should be replaced with suitable, geographically dispersed, small, multi-functional custodial centres. Such centres have aspects in common with a community prison concept. A small project is presently under way as part of the Government's response to the report of Baroness Corston looking at the merits of a pilot unit to test how a small, multi-functional, custodial centre for women might work.

Re-offenders: Costs

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 1 February 2008,  Official Report, column 730W, to the hon. Member for Harborough, on re-offenders: costs, what methodology the Social Exclusion Unit used to estimate the costs of crime committed by ex-prisoners in its 2002 estimate.

David Hanson: The Social Exclusion Unit used the overall costs of crime calculated by the Home Office (60 billion), and estimated that at least 18 per cent. of total crime is accounted for by re-offending by recent ex-prisoners. Home Office cost of crime estimates used by the Social Exclusion Unit are published in: The Economic Social Costs of Crime, Home Office Research Study 217. These estimates have since been updated by the Home Office with methodological improvements and are published in: The Economic Social Costs of Crime against Individuals and Households 2003-04, Home Office Online Report 30/05.

Re-offenders: Costs

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 1 February 2008,  Official Report, column 730W, to the hon. Member for Harborough, on re-offenders: costs, what estimate he has made of the cost of crime committed by ex-prisoners in England and Wales in each of the last five years, using the methodology used by the Social Exclusion Unit in its 2002 estimate.

David Hanson: There are currently no year-on-year estimates of the costs of crime or re-offending to the economy, although the Home Office published an estimate of the total cost of crime to individuals and households in 2003-04, part of which will be attributable to re-offending. Ministry of Justice analysts are currently developing the knowledge-base concerning the costs of re-offending and how this varies by the persistence and frequency of re-offending and the type of offences committed.

Sentencing

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many persons have been sentenced by the courts to a period of less than 12 months in custody in 2008;
	(2)  how many persons were sentenced to a period of custody of less than 12 months in each quarter in  (a) 2006 and  (b) 2007.

David Hanson: The latest published data are for 2006 and can be found in the following table. The figures for 2007 will be published later in the year. Figures for 2008 will be published towards the end of 2009.
	
		
			  Number of persons sentenced( 1)  to immediate custody where the sentence length is less than 12 months, all courts, England and Wales, 2006 
			   Number of persons 
			 Quarter 1 17,548 
			 Quarter 2 16,214 
			 Quarter 3 16,381 
			 Quarter 4 14,719 
			 (1) Principal offence basis.  Note: These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system.  Source: RDS-NOMS, Ministry of Justice 6 March 2008 Ref: PQ(RN)114-08

Sentencing

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many individuals were sentenced by magistrates to a term of imprisonment of less than 12 months between January 2007 and January 2008.

David Hanson: The latest published data are for 2006. The figures for 2007 will be published later in the year. Figures for 2008 will be published towards the end of 2009. The published information can be found at:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics.htm.

Sentencing: Domestic Violence

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people were given a custodial sentence for domestic violence offences in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: It is not possible to identify separately domestic violence offences on the Court Proceedings Database as the circumstances of offences are not collected centrally.

Young Offenders

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many first-time entrants into the youth justice system aged 10 to 17 years there were in each of the last three years.

Beverley Hughes: I have been asked to reply.
	Data collected from youth offending teams in England and Wales, and verified by the Youth Justice Board, indicate that there were 97,329 first-time entrants to the criminal justice system aged 10 to 17 in 2005-06 (the first year for which data are available), and 93,730 during 2006-07. Figures for 2007-08 will be published later this year. Although care is taken in collating and analysing the returns used to compile the figures, the data are subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large-scale recording system.

Young Offenders

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what mechanisms exist for the transfer of inmates from young offender institutions to adult prison custody; under what circumstances inmates are transferred; on how many occasions transfers took place in each of the last 24 months; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: Prisoners are normally moved from the young adult estate to the adult estate when they reach age 21. Prison Service Instruction 45/2004 includes provision for assessments of young adult prisoners of any age who are criminally and behaviourally sophisticated beyond their years, and may require the security of the adult estate. Such a move would require agreement by the area manager. Figures on the number of such transfers are not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by carrying out a national survey of young adult prisons.